DMK member T R Baalu was more strident in his criticism of the decision, saying he "strongly condemns" it. "This government is not a unitary government but is supported by DMK and Trinamool Congress. It (hike in prices) is not at all good. It should have been discussed with party leaders as also in the Cabinet," Baalu said.

"I strongly condemn the act. It should not recur. I am saying this as a close friend of Congress," he said adding that it was "nowhere justifiable" as the action has come a day before the Budget Session was to start.

He said, "It is an alarming situation that the government headed by Manmohan Singh and supported by Sonia Gandhi and 'Kazhaignar' (Karunanidhi) (is) taking such decision...(it) is not at all good. It should have been at least discussed with party leaders, if not in Cabinet."

Trinamool member Sudip Bandopadhyay said the decision should be revoked. "We understand that international crude prices have gone up. But this (price rise) will affect common people," he said.

Accusing the government of "violating parliamentary propriety", BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said the move to hike petrol and diesel prices "raises suspicion as to which companies will be benefited by this decision."

"The government has been saying that the public sector oil companies have been making profits and giving dividends to it. Then why this secrecy," she asked.

Swaraj attacked the Congress for "betraying" the common people and added that only withdrawal of the hike could resolve matters. Akali Dal's Rattan Singh Ajnala said the new government had given a "big gift" to the people on the first day of the budget session.

... contd.