New Delhi, Apr 16 : Bharatiya Janata Party President LK Advani has decided to stage a nation-wide protest against rising prices.

This was decided at a meeting of the BJP's Parliamentary party in New Delhi this morning.

Advani told members of the BJP Parliamentary Party that it was the duty of the BJP to raise the issue in Parliament with "all the seriousness and combativeness" it demands.

He further went on to say that he would like to know from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whether it was true that the wholesale price index of several essential items had not changed for months, thus giving an incomplete picture of the inflation levels in the country.

As far as the "Common man and common housewife" were concerned, Advani said the government "commanded the lowest esteem", and they knew from their "daily experience that those in power are not telling the truth about the true extent of the rise in prices. A government that is not sinful with the citizens, is not fit to govern," Advani said.

Party spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters that Advani observed that the issue had never so intensely agitated the minds of people, particularly, the weaker sections.

Malhotra strongly advocated the need to ban future trading of essential commodities.

Highlighting the alleged failures of the UPA Government, he said, "During the previous NDA Government, there was enough foodgrains in the country."

He called for stringent measures against hoarders and black marketers.

The National Office Bearers of the party will meet on 17th and 18th of this month to chalk out the strategy for the proposed agitation.

ANI