Chennai, May 30 (IANS): DMK president M. Karunanidhi Wednesday threatened to pull out of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government if it does not roll back the hike in petrol prices.

"Coalition is different. Being part of the coalition has not prevented us from protesting anti-people policies. If our basic principles are threatened we would persuade the centre to correct it," the former Tamil Nadu chief minister said, leading the party's protest against the petrol price hike and the rise in milk, power and bus fares in the state.

"We will stay with them only till it is possible. If it is not possible, then we will go our separate way and stress our policies," he said to loud applause from the crowd.

He said it was not just opposition parties but also the DMK and other UPA constituents that have asked the central government to roll back the petrol hike.

"Even Defence Minister A.K. Antony has asked the government to roll back the hike," Karunanidhi said.

He said it was going to be a race between the central government and the AIADMK government at the state on who would pay heed to the plight of the common person and reduce petrol prices.