LDF calls dawn-to-dusk hartal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has called a dawn-to-dusk hartal on Saturday to protest against the hike in the prices of petroleum products and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments decision to decontrol petroleum product pricing.

The LDF State committee decided to organise the hartal at a hurried meeting held here close on the heels of the Centre announcing its decision to decontrol petroleum product pricing and to effect a sharp increase in the prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and kerosene.

Briefing reporters after the LDF panel meeting here on Friday, front convener Vaikom Viswan termed the UPA governments decision a major blow, particularly to the people of Kerala who were dependent on goods brought in from different parts of the country. He came down heavily on what he termed attempts of Congress leaders to justify the Central decision and their demand that the State should forego the additional revenue from the price hike so that the impact of the price hike could be made lighter.