The Left parties including CPI, CPI (M), DYFI and CITU staged demonstrations at various places in the city on Saturday to protest against the steep increase in the prices of petroleum products.
Slogans
The cadre raised slogans against the Union government, which had increased the petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG prices steeply since Friday.
Inflation
Though the government was justifying the steep increase citing the increase in price of crude oil in the international market, the opposition had fears that it would further fire up the inflation and price increase of essential commodities.
They also pointed out that the steep increase in petroleum prices would affect the common people only.
Already suffering from price increase of essential commodities and vegetables, the general public would be forced to undergo further problems in their day-to-day life with this recent increase.
Even the prices of LPG and kerosene had been increased drastically, they pointed out.
The party leaders who took part in the agitation also pointed out that the price increase should be rolled back immediately.
While CPI staged a demonstration at Old Bus stand under the leadership of its district secretary A. Jeevanandam, members of CITU also staged a demonstration in front of the Salem Head Post Office protesting against the price increase for which party functionary S. K. Thiagarajan presided.