Why aren’t petrol pumps in Mumbai shut? Kejriwal alleges BJP role in strike over VAT in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and held them responsible for the strike in Delhi. All 400 fuel pumps in the national capital are closed on Monday after Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government's refusal to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel and petrol in the national capital.

Kejriwal stated that despite the petrol prices being the lowest in Delhi across the four metros, there is a strike in the national capital and not anywhere else. Kejriwal blamed the BJP for the strike and asked them to apologise to the people of Delhi.

"Oil prices lowest in Delhi amongst the four metros. Why aren’t petrol pumps in Mumbai, which has highest prices, on strike? Becoz Mumbai is BJP govt and BJP is behind today’s strike in Delhi. BJP MUST apologize to the people of Delhi," he tweeted on Monday.

Oil prices lowest in Delhi amongst the four metros. Why aren’t petrol pumps in Mumbai, which has highest prices, on strike? Becoz Mumbai is BJP govt and BJP is behind today’s strike in Delhi. BJP MUST apologize to the people of Delhi pic.twitter.com/v5BUI0cfRG — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 22, 2018

Kejriwal had earlier stated that the people of Delhi will give a befitting reply to the BJP in elections. "Petrol pump owners have told us privately that this is a BJP-sponsored strike, actively supported by oil companies. In fact, the BJP has thrust it on petrol pump owners. People will give the BJP a befitting reply in the elections for continuously inconveniencing people through their dirty politics," Kejriwal tweeted.

The 23-hour shutdown has been called by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association and is supported by taxi and auto associations.

On October 4, the Centre had slashed fuel prices by Rs 2.50 after curbing excise duty on the commodity by Rs 1.50 per litre. The decision was backed by several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, which reduced local sales tax or the VAT. However, the Delhi government refused to reduce VAT on fuel both petrol and diesel citing that it's not a long-term solution. The AAP government's decision has resulted in fuel becoming more expensive than bordering Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.