Diesel price hike not advisable now: Congress tells Government

New Delhi: Congress has conveyed to the government that a hike in diesel prices was not advisable at the moment, according to sources. Congress also said that even though a hike in petrol prices was required, the timing was wrong.

"Petrol price hike should not have taken place a day after the UPA-II report card was presented and Parliament session ended," Congress sources said.

The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) is expected to meet on Friday to discuss diesel and LPG prices.

Congress also said that even though a hike in petrol prices was required, the timing was wrong.

The Congress is under pressure from the public, the allies and the Opposition after Wednesday's Rs 7.50/litre hike in petrol prices.

The NDA has called for a nationwide bandh on May 31. The Left parties are planning to hold a protest demonstration in Delhi. CPI leader D Raja said, "All parties should plunge to protest. It's just a prelude. They will hike the price of diesel as well."

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said, "We have made a commitment to support this government, that is the reason we are not moving out. But our support does not mean that we cannot protest. We believe that the government is being unjust, it's one sided and not correct."

The dawn-to dusk hartal called separately by LDF and BJP in Kerala to protest the increase in petrol price partially affected normal life across the state on Thursday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa also demanded an immediate rollback of the hike.

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