UPA's ally DMK to join bandh against Centre

Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam, a key ally of the ruling United Progressive Alliance, on Tuesday announced its participation in the nation-wide bandh on September 20 called by several non-UPA parties to protest the Centre's decision to hike diesel price, allow FDI in multi-brand retail and limit subsidised cooking gas.

In a brief statement, DMK president M Karunanidhi asked his party members to extend "full co-operation" for conducting the protest in a "peaceful" and "successful manner".

Karunanidhi, who has already demanded rollback of the diesel price hike, also asked various wings of his party to participate in the bandh.

"People in the state are already reeling under the increase in transport, milk, electricity charges and price rise. The Centre, burdening the common man further, has announced an increase in the diesel price, limiting subsidised cooking gas and allowing FDI in multi-brand retail. To protest these decisions, a nation-wide protest has been announced on
September 20," he said.

Samajwadi Party, which is supporting the government, along with a number of other non-UPA parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party, will hold demonstrations on September 20 across the country to protest against these decisions of the Manmohan Singh government.