Congress supports Deora, accuses BJP of playing insensitive politics

New Delhi, Nov 25 (UNI) The Congress today backed Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora against whom the BJP has threatened to file a complaint before the Election Commission for his announcement that petrol and diesel prices would be cut after the ongoing Assembly elections.

"I don't find fault with Mr Deora, who is also a political person," AICC General Secretary Veerappa Moily told mediapersons.

Earlier in the day, the BJP threatened to file a complaint against Mr Deora for his announcement which, it said, would influence the voters in the six election going states.

"The international prices have fallen and there is an expectation that prices need to be reduced. I am also of the opinion that they should be reduced and that will happen after December 24," Mr Deora had said yesterday.

Mr Moily said the opposition of the BJP to the petrol price cut exposed the "insensitive" politics played by it.

Referring to the BJP's threat to approach the EC, he said, "We are ready to face anything for the sake of people." Mr Moily said, "We are reducing fuel prices not for the sake of elections. In fact, international prices of crude oil had come down drastically." Asked why Mr Deora did not make such an announcement earlier, he said, "No government could take a decision unless there was a sustainable reduction in the crude oil price. Decisions are not taken on reflections." UNI SH SB GC1810