Following the highest ever hike in petrol prices on Wednesday night, the ruling congress party has asked the state government to reduce their taxes on fuel prices in order to bring some respite to the common man.

The government is facing increasing pressure from its allies, the Opposition and the public over the hike in fuel prices. The opposition has warned that it might go on a nation-wide strike over a hike of Rs 7.50 in the prices of petrol.

Even the states ruled by the congress and its allies follow the order from the Congress party, the states of Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam and West Bengal are likely to benefit. According to some reports, the government in Uttarakhand has already announced a reduction in fuel taxes in the state. The NDA has called for a nationwide bandh on May 31 and the Cngress has described the move as 'misleading'.

"It is a very difficult decision taken by oil companies. The companies are compelled to take such decisions due to a rise in the dollar. The NDA should not misguide the country by going on a strike, they know the situation of the country," said Congress party leader Rashid Alvi.