NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday suggested that the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled States emulate the Congress-governed States in reducing the burden on aam aadmi (common man) by restructuring the sales tax on petrol and diesel.

"The BJP should abandon the politics of opposition and at least in States where the party is in power it should follow the Congress example," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said here. He sought to know why the BJP, which otherwise implemented the "Sangh Sandesh", was silent on the suggestion by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to reduce the impact of the oil price rise.

The Congress was aware of the Government's compulsions in effecting the price hike following a sharp increase in international crude prices, yet it suggested to the Centre to make a reduction.

"We have acted in the public interest. If some States have taken some steps, it does not mean nobody else can. Our request with the Centre is already there and some States have taken steps on our request,'' Mr. Singhvi said in response to a question whether the party had given up on its reducing the prices, following the moves by Congress-ruled States.

While refusing to make a categorical comment on the approach of the Left-ruled States, he said the advice was that irrespective of political affiliations each State should attempt to follow a system wherever reduction was possible.

The Congress planned to conduct a campaign in the States, where other parties are in power, to mount public pressure for lowering sales tax as was done in the Congress-ruled States.

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