Angry over the 'steep hike' in fuel prices, the United Progressive Alliance's Left allieson Wednesday demanded a review of the decision as it announced a week-long nationwide agitation to protest the "unjustified burden" imposed on the common man.

Pointing out that the hike will "further aggravate" the inflationary situation, the parties said this "onslaught" on the people comes at a time when they are suffering from the steep rise in prices of all essential commodities.

• Petrol up by Rs 5; PM to address nation

"The Left parties demand that the UPA government review the decision on the price hikes. It should cut excise duties more and impose windfall taxes on private companies," Left leaders Prakash Karat, A B Bardhan, Debabrata Biswas and T J Chandrachoodan said in a joint statement.

They also announced their decision to hit the streets from Thursday to protest the decision.

The Left parties will mobilise the people to conduct hartals, strikes, picketing, blocking rail and road traffic and hold demonstrations to protest against this "unjustified burden", they said.