The NCP on Thursday clarified that it would remain with the UPA-II, enabling it to run the government for a full term. The party said it supported the decision on FDI, but wished that there had been a discussion with member parties prior to the decision on diesel price hike.
“The UPA will hold a coordination committee meeting in New Delhi on September 21. In the meeting, our leaders are planning to make some suggestions so that the diesel price hike does not affect the common man. Moreover, the government should also think in terms of providing more subsidies on gas cylinders,” said Nawab Malik, NCP spokesperson.
The NCP, with nine MPs in Lok Sabha headed by Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, is an important ally for the Congress-headed UPA. So far, although the party has remained silent on the FDI issue, it has expressed surprise over the manner in which the price hike was declared.
Mr Malik said that according to the government, the hike in diesel price and ceiling on LPG cylinders was inevitable, as the government was trying to make up losses suffered in the recent times. “However, if they had discussed the issues first, the NCP would have suggested some alternatives,” he added.
According to the NCP, agriculture workers, farmers, transporters and luxury car owners use diesel. The price hike should be implemented in such a way that it would affect only those who use the fuel for luxury. “Also, the government can make up for much loss by increasing the excise duty on these cars,” Mr Malik said.