New Delhi, Apr 7 : Left parties, which offer outside support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, will join hands with the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) in a week-long country wide protest against the price rise from April 16. Communist Party of India (Marxist) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury told reporters on Sunday that the joint battle would be limited to the price rise only. Both parties said the Government's understanding of the cause of inflation was erroneous and the measures taken to check it inadequate.

They demanded the universalisation of the Public Distribution System (PDS) and a ban on futures trading in 25 agricultural commodities as proposed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, while seeking stringent action against hoarders.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja said: "I have asked my party units across the country to picket Central Government offices on April 17 and 18, and launch a de-hoarding campaign."

He further warned that the UPA would have to pay a heavy political price because of the rising prices.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said the GDP growth has only affected a handful of people, and added that the UPA Government had done nothing substantive for the common man.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Yerran Naidu said: "The UPA came to power on aam aadmi slogan but it has betrayed the common man."

The Left parties and the UNPA have already planned separate protests against spiraling prices.

ANI