Petrol price hike: DMK talks tough, threatens to pull out

Chennai, May 30 (ANI): Key ally of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA-II) at Centre, the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), on Wednesday demanding a rollback of petrol prices, calling the hike "anti people."

The DMK warned the Central Government that it could consider pulling out of the ruling alliance.

Taking part in a protest rally here, DMK chief M Karunanidhi demanded a rollback of petrol price before issuing his threat.

"The DMK has been part of central coalitions in the past - with the BJP, with V.P. Singh. Though we are part of the central coalition but haven't hesitated to stop anti-people policies," he said.

Karunanidhi then threatened to pull out of the ruling coalition, adding that the DMK shall uphold its principles and policies.

"We will try to sail with the Centre as much as we can but if it's not possible, we will leave to uphold our principles and policies. I hope the central and state governments will not give room to drive us to that extent," Karunanidhi said.

Mounting pressure on the Congress at the Centre and the AIADMK Governments in Tamil Nadu, he said, "Both the Centre and Tamil Nadu governments should voluntarily come forward to reduce their tax percentage, so that the recent price hike does not hurt the common man." (ANI)