Left parties in Karnataka stage protest against petrol price hike

Left parties in Karnataka today staged protests here demanding reversal of hike in petroleum product prices.   Addressing party workers here, CPI(M) state secretary V J K Nair asked the UPA government at the Centre to reverse the "present uncontrolled price rise in petroleum products".   The recent hike in the price of petroleum products would have a cascading effect on the prices of all commodities, including essential commodities, and also result in an increase in the cost of industrial production, he said.   "Ultimately it is the common man who will have to bear the brunt of the price hike as the industries will pass on the cost to the public", Nair said.   CPI state secretary Siddanagouda Patil criticised BJP government in the state for increasing the sales tax on petroluem products.