BJP govt failed to maintain fiscal discipline, says Congress

MUMBAI: Lashing out at the BJP-led Maharashtra government for levying Rs 2 per litre surcharge on fuel, Opposition Congress today alleged that the additional tax was imposed mainly because the state "failed" to maintain fiscal discipline.

The Congress also supported Shiv Sena for its criticism of the state government that levying the surcharge was an act of "pick pocketing".

"Shiv Sena has highlighted our stand that the fuel hike by Rs 2 per litre was unjustified. But, the Sena should not just stop at criticism. It should remember that it is in power," Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan told reporters here.

Chavan slammed the government for its stand that its fuel surchage was intended to raise funds for drought relief. "The fact is that the government has failed to maintain fiscal discipline," he alleged.

Hitting out at the BJP government for trying to politicise the "delayed" event of bhumi pujan of Babasaheb Ambedkar's memorial in central Mumbai by organising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting, Chavan sarcastically said the Election Commission of India should be thanked for announcing the Bihar polls.

"The bhumi pujan had been delayed twice earlier. Now with Bihar elections round the corner, Modi has found time to perform the foundation stone-laying ceremony," he said.