Congress says government compelled by circumstance to raise LPG price

NEW DELHI: Apparently on the backfoot over hike in price of cooking gas by Rs 11.42 per cylinder, Congress today said it was not the intent of the government to burden the common man and blamed circumstances for the step.

"It is not our intent to burden the common man. From 2004 to 2008, crude oil prices rose from 30 dollars to 140 dollars. Government kept absorbing the oil price shock....", party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters.

On the launching of a 'bijli-paani satyagraha' by activist Arvind Kejriwal here to protest against "inflated" power and water bills, Tewari took a dig at the activist remarking that "stumbling political careers" are sought to be revived by using populist politics.