Left, NDA engaging in 'sensationalism' on fuel price issue: Congress

Dubbing the 'Bharat Bandh' as "complete flop", Congress today accused both Left parties and NDA of engaging in "sensationalism" over the issue of fuel price hike.

"Except for the state-sponsored initiatives in certain states where they are in power, there has been a complete flop, complete negative reaction against the bandh," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.

He said the Left and NDA are engaging in "sensationalism" and causing inconvenience to the same 'Aam Aadmi' (common man) in whose name they have given the bandh call.

Singhvi accused BJP of practicing "double standard" in speaking with a "forked tongue" on the issue and reminded that prices of petroleum products were increased many times during NDA rule.

He said government's recent decision to increase the fuel prices was a "bold" one to lessen the burden of indirect taxes on the common man.

"Nothing but sensationalism and creating noise by the so-called bandh is the opposition agenda," Singhvi said. 

He asked Left parties whether they want to replicate the "same path of lawlessness by initiating the state-sponsored bandh as was witnessed in West Bengal and Kerala".

Singhvi also had a dig at NDA and Left joining on the issue, saying if both of them feel this was right, Congress can always congratulate them.