Agencies
New Delhi, Apr 19:
Taking their protests on the issue of price rise to the streets, Left and UNPA leaders on Saturday took out a march towards Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi and courted arrest.
The leaders and about 5,000 supporters started their march from Rafi Marg towards South Block, but were stopped within 100 metres of their demonstration and were taken to the Parliament Street police station.
Left leaders Prakash Karat, Sitaram Yechury, AB Bardhan, D Raja and D Devarajan, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh, INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala, Telugu Desam president Chandrababu Naidu and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah courted arrest.
Adding a tinge of Bollywood glamour to the protest, actor-turned MPs Jaya Bachchan and Jayaprada also courted arrest along with about 5,000 protestors, who were later released.
The Parliament Street police station virtually turned into a protest site, with the leaders launching a scathing attack on the UPA government on the price rise issue and urging their supporters to get ready for a lengthy battle against the government on several issues.
Addressing the protestors inside the police station, CPI(M) General Secretary Karat said they have to chalk out a plan to keep alive the struggle even after April 30 and that the Left and UNPA leaders will meet soon.
"Now, we are fighting unitedly against price rise. We have to come together again to find a solution to farmers problems. We have to provide a new third alternative," he said.
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