The CPI(M) was in disagreement with the Congress over the UPA Government’s decision to periodically hike the prices of petroleum products, the party said on Sunday at the end of its three-day Central Committee meeting. Soon after allowing oil companies limited power to raise prices from time to time, Union Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar had met Left leaders, explaining them the compulsions of the international oil pricing mechanism which forced the government to take these steps. CPI(M) Politburo member Prakash Karat said the party had decided to protest the increase in prices. But Aiyar, in his last meeting with Left leaders, had said it would be better to have small increases in regular intervals than allow prices to spiral at one go.
