He said the 'BJP will hold a countrywide agitation in all districts on Aug 17 to protest against the price-rise, senior BJP leaders will participate in this protest'.

Naqvi added the UPA had promised the people during the elections that it would bring down the prices of essential commodities in 100 days, but had failed.

He also alleged that in the last five years, '4,800 starvation deaths had taken place, according to officials figures, while unofficial figures put the figure at 20,000'. 'This is a shame for a government which came to power with its claim to work for the aam admi,' he said.