NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi is leading 'Bharath Bandh' called by the Congress. Petrol and diesel prices scaled new all-time highs on Monday as the prices of the two fuels were jacked up by another 23 paise and 22 paise per litre, respectively. The petrol price in Delhi has now shot up to Rs 80.73 per litre while diesel, too, touched a high historic high of Rs 72.83 a litre as oil prices in the international market continue to rise and the rupee weakens. Petrol in Mumbai scaled to Rs 88.12, up 23 paise, while diesel was priced at Rs 77.32, up 23 paise, on Monday.

Opposition parties have called for a nation-wide 'Bharat Bandh' on Monday to protest against soaring fuel prices. They claim the government is stubbornly refusing to cut the high excise duty, which is adding to the crushing burden on consumers. The Centre currently levies a total excise duty of Rs 19.48 per litre of petrol and Rs 15.33 per litre on diesel. VAT varies amongst states. Meanwhile, the Congress party's protest March against the fuel price has started from Rajghat at 8am. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will likely join the protest.