By IANS,
New Delhi:Trinamool criticism is genuine concern, says Congress The Congress Friday sought to underplay the stinging criticism from its ally Trinamool Congress on the petrol price hike and said the government would provide “whatever relief possible” and also address “genuine concerns” by a detailed discussion.
As Trinamool Congress MPs threatened to quit the United Progressive Alliance over petrol price hike and its chief Mamata Banerjee hit out at the government, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said he had no doubt that there would be discussions when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from Cannes Saturday and a way would be found to provide relief to people.
Asked about Banerjee’s remarks that the Congress had taken a unilateral decision, Singhvi said her comments were not disruptive as was being projected.
“I read her and other allies’ comments as genuine concerns. (The concerns) will be met after a detailed discussion…,” Singhvi said, adding “every element of coalition will be heard with understanding, compassion and sensitivity” during discussions in the government.
“We have faith the government will at the earliest, most urgently look at the issue and provide whatever relief is possible. Not only will it control these prices but will also find other alternatives so that the needy are provided relief,” Singhvi said.
Asked if the party favoured the government going back to administered price mechanism for petrol prices, Singhvi said he was not going into specifics.
“Whichever means the government considers most appropriate…whatever has the desired effect… (we) leave it to the judgement of the government. We are concerned with results.”
Asked if the party was demanding a rollback of the hike in petrol prices, Singhvi said it was for the government to find the best way to provide relief.
Trinamool Congress MPs Friday favoured quitting the UPA government to protest the “repeated unilateral decisions” to raise petrol prices, but party chief Mamata Banerjee kept the decision pending and requested Manmohan Singh for a meeting after his return from Cannes, where he is attending a G20 summit.
Petrol prices were increased by Rs.1.80 by oil marketing companies from Friday.