Social and religious conservatives have become increasingly visible within the party, protesting against Socialist laws to bring in gay marriage and quick divorces or to take religion out of the core school curriculum.

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The striking unions, who owe their allegiance to the Communists, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party, are also protesting against government moves to open insurance and aviation sectors to foreign investment and increase prices of subsidised fuel and cooking gas.

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This week, the Tea Party will be in Washington protesting government spending.

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