Fuel price cut: BJP to move EC, Cong snubs charges

"This is a violation of the model code of conduct aimed at wooing the voters ahead of the assembly elections in many states," senior BJP leader and party's Chief Ministerial candidate in Delhi V K Malhotra told reporters in New Delhi.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora earlier said the Government will cut petrol and diesel prices after December 24 when the Assembly elections are over.

"The international prices have fallen and there is an expectation that prices need to be reduced. I am also of the opinion that they should be reduced and that will happen after December 24," Deora said.

Asked whether BJP will approach the Election Commission on the issue, Malhotra said the party will file a complaint with the Commission.

"The announcement will certainly benefit the ruling coalition at the Centre and we will file a complaint with the Election Commission," Malhotra said.

"I am confident of getting two-third majority in Delhi as people are fed up with the misrule of the corrupt Congress Government," he added.

You don’t want Fuel-price cut?

Congress sought to turn the table on BJP over its threat to approach the Election Commission in regard to the Government's intention to reduce the prices of petroleum products, wondering whether the saffron party was against any cut.

"For the sake of the people we are prepared to face anything. We have not committed any offence," party leader M Veerappa Moily said.

Wondering over the BJP move, he asked whether the saffron party does not want any reduction when crude prices have come down so much.

It reflects "insensitivity" of the BJP, he said. Moily, however, said Petroleum Minister Murli Deora should have made the statement earlier.

But at the same time, he said, the prices are not being reduced for the sake of election even if international prices have come down.

His comments came close on the heels of BJP's threat that it will take up the issue with the Election Commission as Deora's statement amounts to "violation of model code of conduct."

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