Agartala: The Tripura unit of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), the dominant partner of the ruling Left Front, will hold agitations across the state Friday to protest against the hike in fuel price.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora Wednesday announced a hike in petrol price by Rs.4 per litre and by Rs.2 per litre for diesel, attributing it to rise in global crude prices.

In protest, the CPI-M here has decided to hold demonstrations, saying the price hike has exposed the "anti-people" policies of the central government.

"Was fuel price hike in the prime minister's 100-day agenda?" Chief Minister Manik Sarkar asked reporters sarcastically.

Sarkar, who is also a CPI-M politburo member, said price of essential items had risen steeply in recent months, and the fuel price hike would worsen the situation.

State finance minister Badal Chowdhury said the price hike of petroleum products has shown how the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government would run the country.

"The UPA government had reduced the prices of petroleum products before the Lok Sabha elections but their anti-people attitude has once again been exposed when they increased the prices of fuel within a month after assuming office," Chowdhury added.

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