Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 -- Hitting out at the newly formed state government, Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary MV Govindan on Tuesday accused Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan of staying silent on rising fuel costs despite staging big protests against fuel taxes when he was in the opposition.

Addressing media persons here, Govindan said, "In the past, V D Satheesan had taken the position that the government should forgo fuel tax revenue. There is even a photograph of the then Leader of the Opposition cycling from the Cantonment House as part of a protest. Since V D Satheesan became Chief Minister, fuel prices have been increased four times. Yet, Satheesan continues to remain silent."

Govindan pointed out that the U...