Ramdas Athavale regrets comment on rising fuel prices

Mumbai: Under fire for his comments that the rise in petrol and diesel prices does not bother him as he is a minister, Ramdas Athawale on Sunday regretted his remarks and said that he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the common man.

In a statement issued in Mumbai, Athawale, a BJP ally and union minister of state for social justice, said, “I understand people are getting affected by the rising fuel prices. I had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the common man."

Athawale, who heads a faction of the Republican Party of India (RPI), made the controversial remarks at a press conference in Jaipur on Saturday. “I am not suffering due to rising fuel prices as I am a minister,” he said, referring to the allowances he gets. “I may suffer if I lose my ministerial post,” he said. Athawale was asked if he was personally affected by the rising fuel prices. However, at the same press meet, he acknowledged that others were more affected by the rising in petrol and diesel prices. The price of fuel can be reduced if states cut taxes on it. The centre is seriously working on the issue, he said.