(Image source from: Free Press Journal)

The Congress will organize a nationwide shutdown on September 10 over rising petroleum prices, parties leaders announced Thursday and asked other opposition parties and civil society groups to join their objection against the government.

The common man was bearing the effect of the mounting prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said. "The Congress party has decided that we will be giving a call for Bharat Bandh on September 10, Monday, in order to highlight the Rs 11 lakh crore fuel loot and to demand an immediate reduction in central excise duty as also excessive VAT in the state," he told reporters.

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Surjewala said the Congress will also demand petrol and diesel should be brought within the ambit of the GST (Goods and Service Tax) so that the "common man whose budget has gone haywire is provided the requisite relief". The Congress has also urged opposition parties to join the protest, he said. "We also call upon other societal groups, NGOs… to join this people's movement," he said.

By Sowmya Sangam