Coimbatore: Over 800 workers of eight political parties today staged a demonstration protesting against the bus fare hike, which they said was seriously affecting the common man.

There was some confusion about staging the demonstration as police had not allowed parties to assemble and stage demonstration there. However, permission was granted later.

The workers raised slogans against the Government and sought rollback of the hike, since it affected students, common people and the poor, police said.

Former Tamil Nadu Minister and senior DMK leader Pongalur N Palanisamy,DMK legislator N Karthik and local leaders of Congress, CPI, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal and MDMK addressed the agitators.

Meanwhile, in Chennai DMK working president MK Stalin led the demonstration in protest against the hike in bus fare.

The protest was near the State Guest House at Chepauk. DMK allies Congress and IUM also took part in the protest.

Leaders raised slogans against the AIADMK Government for the bus fare hike and demanded that it should be rolled back immediately.

Stalin said the hike as ‘merciless’ and had severely affected the poor and the middle class.

The demonstration of the opposition parties were held in all the district headquarters.