Chennai, May 20 -- Tamil Nadu CPI(M) Secretary P Shanmugam on Wednesday criticised the Centre over the rise in petrol, diesel and commercial LPG prices, alleging that the BJP-led Union government had pushed people into an "unbearable crisis", while demanding an immediate rollback of the hikes.

Demanding immediate action, Shanmugam said the Centre should roll back the increased prices and bear the burden if oil companies were incurring losses.

"The increased prices must be rolled back immediately. If oil companies are facing losses, the Central Government must take responsibility for them," he said.

Speaking during statewide protests organised by CPI(M), Shanmugam said, "Left parties are conducting protest demonstrations in hundreds of ...