BJP leader slams DMK over its silence on Rajiv assassination convicts’ release

The DMK, wary about expressing any opinion on the issue, was worried that any such comment would affect the prospects of the Congress party, L Ganesan, senior BJP leader  from the State and Rajya Sabha member, said in Thoothukudi on Thursday.

Speaking to media representatives, Ganesan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would hold talks with authorities of oil companies on September 15 to bring down the spiralling prices of petrol and diesel. 

A positive outcome is expected from the meeting, he said. Expressing concern over the recent abnormal increase in fuel price, Ganesan said it was unfortunate that the increase in the value of the US dollar and crude oil price resulted in the fuel price rise. The BJP leader said, “I pray for a reduction in the price of fuel on the occasion of Vinayagar Chathurthi.”

However, the Congress party has no right to criticise the BJP-led Centre on the fuel price rise issue, Ganesan said. It was the Congress, which owed a huge debt of Rs 1,44,000 crore to the government exchequer after it availed of loans through oil bonds, he charged. But, the NDA government took the onus to repay the loans, he added.

The rising fuel price could be contained by including petrol and diesel in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, Ganesan said.  Once it is brought under the GST regime, about 25 per cent of its price could be reduced, Ganesan said. However, the State government should cooperate in this regard, he added. 

Commenting on the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2019, Ganesan said the BJP has started working towards achieving its goal in the polls. 

Responding to a query, he said talks between Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and beleaguered business tycoon Vijay Mallya were casual and wondered why the media should consider it to be a big issue.