New Delhi: The BJP-led states were on Tuesday given a free hand as far as taking a decision on whether or not to slash Sales Tax on fuel prices was concerned.
"The (BJP-ruled) states can take a decision on their own. But there will be no directive from the party to them to reduce sales tax on fuel," senior party leader M Venkaiah Naidu said.
The BJP leader, who called the ruling Congress' move to slash state levies on petrol and diesel as an eyewash, however, insisted that the states were facing a revenue crunch.
"State revenues are under great stress," the former BJP chief said. He nevertheless claimed the states governed by his party have kept prices of essential commodities under control.
Naidu, whose party on Monday led an NDA protest against price increase, dismissed a similar protest today by the ruling UPA's Left supporters as a theatric.
"The Left has full influence on the government, then why this deceptive politics? This drama won't work. The Left has to explain its position -- whether it is in supposition or in opposition," he said.
The BJP leader also warned the ruling UPA against any increase in prices of foodgrains and lowering allocation under the Public Distribution System.
"Food security is under threat. The government wants to increase prices of foodgrains under the PDS and moves are underway to reduce the quota from 35 kg to 25 kg under the scheme which we oppose," Naidu said.
He also spoke about his party's plans to hold a nationwide protest against price increase on June 19.
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