Kolkata: Union Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee Friday night declined to make any comment on Trinamool
Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's threat of her party's walking
out of the UPA over the latest petrol price hike.
"I have no comments," Mukherjee told reporters waiting
outside his Kolkata residence, on arrival from Delhi.
Earlier, Mukherjee said in the national capital that
"petrol prices are increased by the petroleum companies, not
by the government. Diesel, kerosene and gas are controlled
items".
Trinamool, the largest ally of UPA, threatened to pull out
over the petrol price hike, as it sought an appointment with
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before taking "any vital
decision".
"Our withdrawal of support may result in fall of the
government. But since the Prime Minister is away, we want to
discuss with him and have sought an appointment with him,"
party chairperson Banerjee told reporters at the state
secretariat here.
Oil companies yesterday raised petrol prices by Rs
1.80 per litre, citing the impact of rupee depreciation on the
cost of crude oil imports. Following the increase, petrol in
Delhi will cost Rs 68.64 a litre.
Petrol prices were freed from government control in
June last year.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, November 05, 2011, 09:31