With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ruling out any rollback in petrol and diesel prices, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday her party made the demand in the interest of common people.
"We are always for the people. If there is rise in prices of petrol and diesel, it hits the common people. That is why, we have appealed. It is the democratic way," Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress chief told reporters when asked about the prime minister's comment.
"We are in the United Progressive Alliance government and we will continue to be in it," she said.
"We don't want to get into any quarrel. In a democracy different political parties have their own position and our party has also articulated its view," she said before leaving for New Delhi.
Banerjee said the appeal (for the rollback) would be made while remaining in the UPA. "This is the democratic way." Banerjee said, "in a democratic set up, nobody quarrels, but expresses their view. This is a democratic tradition," she said.
"Prices of essential commodities go up in case of increase in prices of petrol and diesel. We have appealed to the government to reconsider its decision," she said.
The prime minister had expressed concern over the price rise and convened a meeting of chief ministers, she added.
Image: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
