New Delhi : NDA Convener and JD(S) President Sharad Yadav  has informed that the BJP led NDA has given a call for  a Bharath Bundh on May 31 in protest against the steep hike in petroleum prices  that has come into effect from the midnight of May 23, Wednesday.

Informing this in New Delhi on May 24, Thursday, Yadav said all the NDA allies have been consulted and that the NDA was also trying to seek the support of other parties for the Bharath Bundh. He said the government justification for the price hike was a more eyewash and wanted to know why the government did not announce the hike when the Parliament session was underway.

He also charged the UPA government of total failure in checking prices of essential commodities and hinted that the prices of diesel and LPG may be hiked after the Presidential elections.

He further accused the Central Government of being anti-poor and pro-rich.