Chennai:
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a key ally of the ruling UPA, on Tuesday announced its participation in the September 20 nation-wide bandh called by several non-UPA parties to protest against Centre's decision on diesel price hike, allow FDI in multi-brand retail and to limit subsidised cooking gas.
In a brief statement, DMK President M Karunanidhi asked his party members to extend "full cooperation" for conducting the protest in a "peaceful" and "successful manner".
Mr 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
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 BJP, will hold coordinated agitation programmes on September 20 across the country to protest against these decisions of the Manmohan Singh's government.