CPI (M) to launch country-wide protest if fuel prices hiked

MADURAI: CPI(M), which is supporting the UPA government from outside, tonight threatened to launch a country-wide protest if Manmohan Singh government went ahead with its plans to increase fuel prices.

"We are not prepared to accept any increase in the price of petrol or diesel. We will stop that," CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat told a public meeting organised with the 19th state-level meet of the party here.

The government is levying heavy tax on imported crude. It should reduce the import duty on crude, he said.

"The government should not pass on the burden of the crude price hike to the people," he said.

Karat said commoners were already suffering with price hike of the essential commodities, including food items.

He also warned the Centre against entering into nuclear agreement or any other strategic defence alliance with the United States as long as the CPI (M) supported the government.

Karat attributed all the "wrong economic policies" of the Government to the "pressure" exerted by the US.
   
The US "dictated" foreign capital in banking and insurance sector, he said, adding american companies also wanted to enter organised retail trade and agriculture sectors.

CPI (M) has so far "succeeded" in preventing strategic alliances with America, he added.