BJP has no right to flay fuel price hike: Narayanasamy

"BJP's criticism of the hike in diesel price is untenable and unacceptable," he told reporters here.

Slamming the opposition parties for holding a nation-wide bandh on September 20 to protest the diesel price hike, he said the Centre had granted a subsidy of Rs 1.40 lakh crore for petrol, diesel and LPG during 2011-2012. Already oil companies were in the red with losses to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore, he claimed.

He said Congress-ruled states had increased the cap on the number of LPG cylinders from six to nine. "Why have BJP-ruled states failed to replicate the step?," he asked.

On FDI in multi-brand retail, he said it was a good augury to ensure speedy economic growth, fair price for producers and elimination of middlemen.

He said the UPA government had absolute majority even after the Trinamool Congress withdrew support, adding, the Samajwadi Party and BSP had extended unconditional support from outside.

Narayanasamy flayed Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy for "failing" to project requirements of the Union Territory and to press release of six TMC of Cauvery water for Karaikal at the Cauvery River Authority meeting held recently.