Left demand on oil prices a drama: Cong

The Congress today dismissed as "drama" the Left demand for rolling back the prices of petroleum products following reduction in global crude prices.

Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters that there were no two opinions in the Congress or the government on the issue.

He said such decisions were taken after seeing the overall trend and "not by doing drama."

The Congress, which had joined the Left last June in opposing hike in the prices of petroleum products, is reluctant to endorse the CPI(M)'s latest demand to roll back the hike.

It would rather have the government take a call on this.

Asked about the Congress' views on CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat's letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding the rollback, Singhvi struck a cautious note saying that prices kept on going up and down and it was only after some trend emerged that the government would be in a position to take a decision.

He also dismissed criticism of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement favouring a "fair share" for minorities in government as well as private sector jobs.

"Is there something wrong in demanding a fair share of jobs for minorities in a pluralistic society like India?" Singhvi said when asked about the BJP's criticism of the prime minister's statement.

He said the Congress had not taken any stand on reservations on the basis of religion.