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Left, DMK, Congress tactics force petroleum hike delay

The government once again postponed a decision on hiking the prices of petroleum products following indications that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had expressed its apprehension regarding the hike.

Another factor forcing a deferment in taking a decision was the Communist Party of India-Marxist's declaration to Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral that he would be increasing the prices at his own risk.

To make matters worse for the United Front, the Congress, which is supporting the Gujral government from the outside, has said it would reveal its stand on the hike only after it was made.

Meanwhile, an official spokesman said the hike in petroleum products prices did not figure at the Cabinet meeting on Monday. "It was not on the Cabinet's agenda," he said.

Rattled by the dire warnings, a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs discussed the issue despite the United Front steering committee's green signal to the Cabinet to decide on the hike.

The CPI-M's stand on the hike was conveyed by party General Secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet and Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri to the prime minister. It is understood that the CPI-M and other Left parties told Gujral that the majority of people were ill-prepared to meet the additional monetary burden which would arise out of the hike. The CPI-M claimed to have reached its conclusion after carrying out a random survey among the people.

However, Janata Dal leaders have emphasised that with the oil pool deficit mounting by a staggering Rs 320 million per day, the government could not afford further delays. Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram has reportedly told Gujral to take a decision despite the opposition of the CPI-M and the other parties.

Yechuri has apparently urged the CPI-M leadership not to tone down its tough stand against the petroleum products price hike. He had earlier given an alternative arrangement to meet the rising oil pool deficit without resorting to a price hike.

Congress president Sitaram Kesri on Monday morning summoned a meeting of senior colleagues to discuss his party's strategy following the anticipated price hike.

EARLIER REPORT: Cabinet given go-ahead for price hike