Lalu to take agitation against price rise to national level

Patna, Jan 30 (IANS) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Saturday announced he would take his party's agitation to protest the rising prices of essential commodities to the national level.

"The RJD, along with like-minded parties, particularly the Left, will launch a national-level agitation to protest rising prices of essential items," Lalu Prasad said at a press conference here.        
He said he was in touch with several leaders of different political parties in this regard.         
"I will go to New Delhi next week to discuss the programme with different leaders to launch the stir," Lalu Prasad said.        
The RJD chief did not disclose the names of other parties which would join the protest.        
Elated over the "overwhelming success" of the state-wide shutdown in Bihar Thursday,  called by his party to protest rising prices of essential items, Lalu Prasad said:  "History was witness to the fact that whatever began in Bihar, spread all across the country."        
The shutdown was supported by the Lok Janshakti Party, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India-Marxist and Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist.