Cut in fuel levies: BJP leaves it to states

Caught unaware by the move of Congress-run state governments on slashing levies on fuel, BJP today left it to party ruled governments to take a decision on the issue but said it would expose the Congress's 'gameplan'.

"It is the prerogative of the state governments to decide on reducing their levies but it is an irony that the central government hikes the prices of petrol and diesel and expect the state governments to reduce their taxes. We will expose this gameplan," party spokesman Prakash Javdekar said.

He was responding to a question on whether the BJP ruled states would follow the footsteps of Congress-run governments which have begun slashing state levies to reduce the burden on the common man.

Moreover, the Congress ruled states were mainly reducing the incremental component of the price hike, Javdekar said.

To a question about the suggestion given by RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser' that BJP-run states show the way by reducing levies, he said, "It is an independent viewpoint. We need not subscribe to it".

An editorial in 'Organiser' says: "The BJP can make a beginning instead of protesting on the streets by stopping the wheels and adding to public misery. The party can walk the talk by asking its state governments to reduce state levies on fuel and show the way."

Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would be leading a protest by the Opposition NDA against the fuel price hike here tomorrow and courting arrest.

Senior BJP leaders including L K Advani and party President Rajnath Singh met Vajpayee at his residence to discuss tomorrow's agitational programmes. They also reviewed the current political situation, party sources said.

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KEEPING TRACK

Tamil Nadu
The Karunanidhi government on Sunday announced a cut in the diesel price by reducing the incremental component of the sales tax on the fuel by 45 paise.

Kerala
The ldf government has ruled out waiving sales tax on the increased price of petrol and diesel. Chief minister v s achuthanandan told reporters that the centre's suggestion in this regard was a "ploy" to not withdraw the price hike.

Uttar Pradesh
The state congress on Sunday asked the Mulayam government to reduce sales tax on the petroleum products to provide some relief to the consumers.

Andhra Pradesh
The Congress government on Saturday slashed petrol and diesel prices by 40 paise and 22 paise, respectively, per litre. The decision was taken by chief minister dr y s rajasekhara reddy, at a high-level meeting with commercial tax officers.