Mamata slams petrol price hike, demands rollback

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the latest hike of petrol price "without consulting allies" and demanded its immediate rollback till a long-term policy evolves after consulting all political parties.

"We have learnt from news reports that there has been a fresh hike in petrol prices. We do not support this. We are deeply unhappy. TC will protest it," Banerjee said.

She said "we think that instead of putting burden on the common people this way, a specific long-term policy should be evolved after consulting all political parties in this regard."

The Trinamool Congress chief said such a hike in the price was done without consulting the UPA allies. Trinamool opposes this and will take it up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she said.

"Until a long-term police is evolved, the present hike in the petrol price should be withdrawn," Banerjee said.

Petrol price was hiked on Monday by 70 paise per litre on firming international crude oil rates.