Shourie's remarks welcomed by Cong, BJP distances itself

Former BJP minister Arun Shourie's remarks backing the hike in diesel price was lapped up by the Congress with the BJP, which has demanded a rollback, distancing itself.

"I hope Arun Shourie is being listened to by BJP. I think he is giving good advice to BJP and BJP should listen to him," Union Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters.

Shourie has said he has praised only one step of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and that was hike in diesel prices. On allowing FDI in retail, he said the move will neither lead to any profit nor any loss.

Stung by remarks of Shourie on FDI and diesel price hike, BJP sought to embarrass him by recalling his remarks in Parliament in 2002 countering Congress on FDI issue.

Asked about Shourie's comments, BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay said, "On December 16, 2002, Congress had in the Lok

Sabha called FDI in multi-brand retail as anti-national. Arun Shourie, who was then the Commerce Minister, gave a strong reply and said FDI will not be allowed in multi-brand retail."

"The whole of BJP and all its workers speak in one voice and not with those who differ from this point. All of us are unanimous in our view," Vijay said refusing to clarify his statement further.

Shourie has at times taken a stand on issues which is at variance with the party's official view.