New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday announced a nationwide protest and called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on September 10, over the hike in fuel prices.

The Congress also urged other Opposition parties to join the protest against the government.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said, “Everyone in the party has decided. Simultaneously we spoke to Opposition parties and a decision was taken to organise a nationwide Bharat Bandh on Monday. We will appeal to the common man to join us”.

The bandh is to take place between 9 am and 3 pm on Monday.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala was quoted as saying by PTI, “The Congress party has decided that we will be giving a call for Bharat Bandh on September 10, Monday, in order to highlight the Rs 11 lakh crore fuel loot and to demand an immediate reduction in central excise duty as also excessive VAT in the state”.

Petrol prices in Delhi and Mumbai rose to an all-time high of Rs 79.51 and Rs 86.91 per litre respectively. The Congress claims that the common man is bearing the brunt of the steep hike in prices and the present government is doing nothing to relieve them of their agony.