New Delhi: Ahead of the Union Budget for 2004-05, Left parties today (June 18, 2004) asked the Government to roll back the hike in petro product prices, particularly cooking gas and said that promises made in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) must be adhered to.

The meeting with the supporting parties, hours before the scheduled meeting of the ruling UPA (United Progressive Alliance), was convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Emerging after the 90-minute meeting, also attended by UPA chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan told reporters, "We were invited to exchange views on Budget. All that we have said is the Budget should conform with the CMP."

Asked if the Left parties sought a roll back of the hike in petrol product prices, particularly LPG, Bardhan said, "I have raised that issue."

His comments follow the hike of Rs two and Rs one per litre in petrol and diesel prices respectively and Rs 20 a cylinder of LPG.

Echoing similar views, Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas suggested that cooking gas prices should be rolled back.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram was also present during the discussion, taking time off from the meeting of Empowered Committee of Finance Ministers of States and Union Territories on Value Added Tax that began this morning.

Ever since Government announced the hike in petroleum products prices, Left parties have been clamouring for a roll back of LPG prices saying it would have a cascading effect on the common man.

During the meeting, Bardhan suggested since it was the first budget and only for seven months, it should be in keeping with the promises made in the CMP, which has set out some priorities.

Asked about the need for a separate meeting with the Prime Minister when the UPA leaders are already meeting this evening, he said, "We are only supporting partners and we wanted to put forward our views."

However, Bardhan said the Left parties would also attend the first UPA meeting on Budget.

Asked whether the issue regarding the appointment of Montek Singh Ahluwalia as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission figured in the meeting, he replied in the negative.

The Left party sources, however, said they were against the appointment.

Biswas said the promises made to farmers, labourers and unorganised sector in the CMP should get reflected in the Budget.