Petrol price cut: A desperate move by UPA?

New Delhi, Nov 26: A Rs 5 cut in petrol prices and Rs 20 cut in LPG cylinders have been proposed by Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, a day after he promised a slash to the citizens of India. Now, just days before this, Deora who was singing the tunes of loss to the oil companies is now assuring that the same can bear this steep cut... Is it at the cost of the slumping economy? Or is it a clear political gimmick when just months after country is set to vote?

Murli Deora in a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi proposed cuts in petrol and LPG culinders. However, there is no proposal to reduce the price of diesel. Deora's two-page note to Sonia said oil companies would be comfortable with such a price reduction. Deora had on Tuesday, Nov 25 made it clear that the government is planning to cut fuel prices after the six state Assembly elections get over on December 24.

"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," Deora had said..

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has termed the step as a clear violation of the poll code and indicated that it will take it up with the Election Commission. "The modal code of conduct prohibits any political announcement which could influence the voters. Congress announcing reduction in oil prices after elections during ongoing elections is in violation of the modal code of conduct," BJP Spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad Prasad had said.

OneIndia News