The West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, sharply criticised the petroleum price hike by the Centre. Terming the decision as “unilateral”, she expressed her displeasure at the fact the hikes were made without keeping the Parliament in the loop.

Petrol prices are set to go up by over Rs 7 to Rs 77.53 here from Wednesday midnight.

This time around, she did not threaten to quit the UPA-II headed by the Congress or demanded a roll back of prices. In November 2011, she had threatened to quit the coalition in case a roll back

With 19 MPs in the Lok Sabha, Trinamool is the largest ally of UPA-II coalition. Earlier in November

“There was no consultation with the alliance partners. The decision could have been routed through the Parliament also. However, the hike was made on a day when the session was not on,” she told reporters at Writers' Buildings here.

“We are concerned, upset and aggrieved about this hike,” she added.

PTI reports:

Meanwhile, the Opposition parties, including the BJP and Left flayed the steep hike in petrol prices terming it as “unreasonable” and a “cruel blow” to the common man.

Key UPA ally, the DMK and outside supporter, Samajwadi Party, demanded an immediate roll-back.

“My MPs will convey our views to the Government,” DMK supremo Mr M. Karunanidhi, said in Chennai.

In Lucknow, SP spokesman, Mr Rajendra Chowdhury, said this was the UPA Government's “gift” to the common man on completion of three years in office.

Terming the hike as “unreasonable and arbitrary”, the BJP said it will add to inflationary pressure and lead to further rise in prices.

Party spokesperson, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, alleged that the Government's inept handling of the economic situation was responsible for this. “The gross mismanagement of food and general economy by the UPA regime has led to the decline of the rupee as well as the rise in prices of petroleum products”, he said.

The Left parties, which met here to decide the course of action, called upon their units to immediately launch “powerful” protest actions all over the country.

“It is a cruel blow on people who are already suffering from severe price rise,” CPI-M General Secretary, Mr Prakash Karat, said.

CPI leader, Mr D Raja said the Government's move was “completely unethical and undemocratic” as the hike was effected “even before a day had passed after the Budget Session of Parliament.

Chennai Bureau reports: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa has condemned the petrol price hike. She urged the Centre to roll back the hike that is to take effect from tomorrow. The increase will affect the poor and the middle class people, she said.

The Central Government is to blame for the inflation, price rise, depreciation of the rupee and the slow down in the economy. The unprecedented hike in petrol price will further fuel inflation, she said.

The Centre continues to blame the rising cost of international crude prices and depreciation of the rupee for the fuel price hike. But these cannot justify the increase. It is unfair that even the domestic production of crude is pegged at international prices. But no action is being taken to control the falling value of the rupee against the US dollar, she said.

Public and private sector oil companies are only looking at the interest of the shareholders who, including the Government, benefit from the dividend.

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