While BJD activists under the banner of Biju Yuva Janata Dal burnt effigies of the Prime Minister Monmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi condemning the price hike of petrol, BJP demanded exemption of VAT on the fuel by the state government.
Left Parties comprising CPI and CPI(M) also staged demonstsration here opposing the hike. "Further rise in the price of petrol will have its impact on the inflation," said CPI(M) leader Suresh Pujari.
"It is the biggest betrayal by the UPA-II. The combine came to power with slogan of Aam Admi Ka Sarkar. But the common people have suffered a lot under this regime," said Samajwadi Party leader Rabi Behera in a statement.
BJD MLA and president of the party`s youth wing Sanjay Dasburma pointed out that this was the second hike in petrol price within four months. "The BJD will continue its agaitation against petrol price hike till the Centre announces roll back," Dasburma said.