PM's assurance of controlling prices 'hoax': BJP

NEW DELHI: Opposing any move to hike prices of petroleum products, the BJP on Tuesday termed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurances of controlling prices as "hoax".

The main opposition party also attacked Singh for his statement that increase in prices of petroleum products was inevitable, saying "it symbolises a captain fleeing his sinking ship".

"The failure of the government is cast in stone and the statement of the Prime Minister that a hike in petrol prices in inevitable symbolises a captain fleeing his sinking ship," BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy said here.

"His (the Prime Minister's) shallow claims of controlling prices are a hoax and the 'Aam Aadmi' (common man) is its first casualty," he said.

Rudy said the BJP was opposed to any proposal to raise the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG and demanded that the government reduce duties and taxes on petroleum products with immediate effect.

"While the country is reeling under an unprecedented price rise, here is a Prime Minister who has thrown up his hands and declared that the prices of fuel will have to be increased," Rudy said.