NCP, NC express concern over petrol price hike

Resentment among UPA partners over petrol price hike grew with two more allies today expressing concern after key partner Trinamool Congress threatened to pull out of the government if there was no rollback.

The NCP and the National Conference (NC) are upset with the recent hike but stopped short of withdrawing support to the ruling coalition.

The NCP and the NC's reaction comes close on the heels of the Trinamool Congress, the UPA's largest partner, threatening to pull out of the government if the petrol price hike was not rolled back.

Both the NCP and the NC said repeated hike in petrol prices burden the common man and they would raise the issue within the government.

"In the next Cabinet meeting there will be a debate on it," New and Renewable Energy Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah told reporters here.

Sharad Pawar's NCP wanted the government to devise some mechanism to keep the fuel prices in check.

"We are very much concerned. The government should devise some mechanism to check frequent hike in petrol prices," NCP General Secretary Tariq Anwar told PTI.

Asked about Trinamool Congress' threat to pull out of government on the issue, Anwar was quick to add, "We do not have any such plans."

Abdullah and Anwar pointed out that the government had not touched the prices of diesel and cooking gas which is used by the masses.

"Rising petrol prices depend on the international market. But still, they have kept diesel prices very low, because majorly diesel is used here," Abdullah said.

"We are not angry or upset. We think we will have to work collectively to get it under control," he said.