Chennai, May 25 - Joining the chorus against the steepest ever hike in petrol price, key UPA partner DMK today announced a state-wide agitation on May 30, demanding a substantial reduction in the increase.

The unprecedented increase of Rs 7.5 per litre of petrol has already sparked "spontaneous" protests by people against the government across the country, the party said.

"The Centre should substantially reduce the petrol price hike, if not roll it back, as the increase would further hit the people already suffering due to inflation and price rise," the DMK, a major ally of the Congress-led UPA, said.

Announcing the protest in a release here, the party noted that the Centre's action dealt a further blow on the people of Tamil Nadu already facing hardship due to the hike in the milk price, bus fare and power tariff imposed by AIADMK Government.

Protesting against the Central and state governments, DMK would stage peaceful demonstrations in front of the central government offices and district collectorates in all district headquarters, it said.

The DMK's decision to hold a protest a day ahead of opposition sponsored Bharat Bandh on May 31 comes amid growing protests against the hike which has also been opposed by Trinamool Congress, another key regional ally of UPA. PTI