New Delhi: Seeking immediate withdrawal of hike in the prices of fertilisers and diesel announced by government in the Union Budget, an agitated Opposition on March 3 walked out of Lok Sabha after half-an-hour impromptu debate on the plight of farmers and threatened to launch a nation-wide stir on the issue.

Although angry, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Shiv Sena, Samata Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Janata Dal –United - all allies of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) - did not join the Opposition in walkout, they asserted they too would pressurise the government to withdraw the hike.

Both the ruling and Opposition Benches said the government's decision had adversely affected farmers, already hit by drought and floods in various parts of the country.

"We will not walk out but put pressure on the government for withdrawal of the hike in the prices of fertilisers and diesel," TDP leader K Yerran Naidu said. Other NDA partners expressed similar feelings.

Charging Telugu Desam Party and Shiv Sena with shedding "crocodile tears" for farmers, Congress chief whip Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said, "If you are really concerned for farmers, please announce that you will withdraw support if the government fails to withdraw the increase in the prices of fertilisers and diesel."

PTI