Wednesday, September 7 2005 09:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa yesterday (Sept 6, 2005) came down heavily on the petrol and diesel price hike and said her Government 'will strain every nerve to protect the people from the repeated shocks administered by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, in which the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) combine plays a stellar role."

In a statement here, she said the hike was the fifth in just about 15 months of the UPA government's rule. Never had a government increased prices in this manner, with such scant regard for the concern of the common people, she said.

"With this kind of dubious record, breaking the backs of the people, no one is going to give any credence to the rhetoric of the UPA government that it is initiating plans and programmes for the poor and needy with a human face."

Every time such a price hike is announced by the UPA, 'it is preceded by a dramatic preamble of great pain endured by oil companies and how they have to be rescued." What about the people and huge profits made by refineries, particularly private refineries who were actually getting a bonanza each time international prices go up, she asked.

"If there is a will to protect people, I am sure a way can be found. The UPA government will have none of it as burdening the people with no qualms seems to be its only credo. People will have to teach a lesson to this oppressive government."

She also criticised DMK president M Karunanidhi for defending the hike, saying his statement was like rubbing salt in a gaping wound. "Just yesterday, he pretended to express regret at the increase. Today he has a sermon for the common man after inflicting the blow. This flip flop is characteristic of Karunanidhi as he strives, Goebbels like, to fool people all the time," she said.