``We have to protest against the price rise whether the Centre rolls back the decision or not,'' she said today, addressing a meeting of vice-presidents and general-secretaries of the DPCC. ``We have to protest because the people and the workers expect us to,'' she added.

The meeting was called to prepare the Delhi unit for the demonstration to be held on February 8 in protest against the price hike and the on-going demolition drive against encroachments in the Capital. Dikshit said: ``People should not be under the impression that this increase in prices has anything to do with Congress policies. They should know that these are the policies of the Centre''.