The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in Kerala from 6 a.m. Wednesday in protest against the hike in petrol and diesel prices.

Also protesting the latest hike in fuel prices, announced Monday, is the Coordination Committee of Motor Workers, comprising workers from all political parties.

A litre of petrol now costs Rs.43.65, up from Rs.40.89; diesel prices have also gone up from Rs.29.26 to Rs.31.99.

"We request Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the government to intervene. If not, we will be forced to call an indefinite strike," said Khaleed Mundapally, president of the Private Bus Operators Federation.

"The student concession has not been changed for years and, with every increase, our problems are mounting," he added.

With the increase in fuel prices, the most affected would be the Kerala State Road Transport Corp (KSRTC). "With this we will have an additional fuel bill of Rs.800,000. Our crisis is bound to go up," said an official.