LUCKNOW: Rail and road blockades marked the Samajwadi Party-sponsored "bandh" in protest against the increase in prices of diesel, petrol and other essential commodities in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. The "bandh" call was given by Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and observed in the State with the support of the Left parties and the Rashtriya Lok Dal.

The Home Department said protest demonstrations were held in the entire State and trains were stopped at several places in the form of a symbolic protest against the hike in the prices of diesel and petrol. Train movement was hampered at Allahabad, Basti, Barabanki, Lucknow and in other cities and towns. Samajwadi Party workers sat on the rail tracks here and stopped the movement of trains.

Reports from Allahabad said that the Ganga-Gomti Express was allegedly stopped at Prayag and Phaphamau railway stations by ruling party activists. Reports said rail traffic remained affected for about four hours. Party workers resorted to a blockade on the busy Allahabad-Varanasi highway.

While the Vaishali Express was stopped at Basti, some other trains were blocked in Barabanki, Kanpur, Etah and Etawah.

Addressing party workers opposite the District Collectorate, Samajwadi Party national general secretary Amar Singh said it was difficult to believe that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not heed Congress president Sonia Gandhi's advice. He was referring to Ms. Gandhi's opposition to the hike in the prices of diesel and petrol. If the Congress president wanted she could have the price hike withdrawn.

Mr. Amar Singh refused to accept the Central Government's demand to reduce the sales tax on diesel and petrol as it would have a debilitating effect on the development schemes in the State. "The State Government would reduce taxes if the Union Finance Minister gave the assurance that the Centre will bear the financial burden of the State development schemes," he said.

Referring to the disclosure of her assets in the affidavit filed before the Rae Bareli District Magistrate in the recent by-election, he said that if she had no house and car in her name then the Samajwadi workers would donate generously to enable her to purchase a house in Lucknow, and an air-conditioned car.

Later, addressing a press conference at the Samajwadi Party headquarters, Mr. Singh accused Ms. Gandhi of indulging in "one-upmanship" on the issue of price hike.He said the Centre was always looking for an opportunity to attack Mulayam Singh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party.A press handout from the ruling party said the "bandh" was successful in 42 of the 70 districts, whereas in the remaining 28 districts it evoked a mixed response.

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