New Delhi, Much before voters could step out of their houses to exercise their francise on the voting day for six states assemblies elections and results from the electronic voting machine starts trickle the blame game in the Congress Party has already began as senior Congress leaders have begun the timing of the reported statement made by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh over the cut in petrol and diesel prices.

While returning from his overseas tour Singh had on Tuesday ruled out any possibility of cut in the prices of petrol and diesel even as international crude oil price has plummeted dramatically from a record $ 147 per barrel to $ 53.26 per barrel. Congress sources said that statement made by Prime Minister is most unwarranted at this time as it will have direct bearing on the voters for the poll bound state and added that the statement could have been avoided.

It may be recalled that Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Mr Muri Deora had assured in the parliament that price of petrol and diesel will be reduced within a week. The government had gone back on the promise even before the assurance could be converted into implementation.

The government already facing heat from the opposition over the rise in price of essential items the reported statement by Prime Minister Singh has further added to its woes. ``Aam Admi'' plank of the Congress Party has taken a sever beating with Singh's reported statement, a senior Congress functionary admitted.

The reported statement by Singh has not only antagonize the party leaders but also the ruling UPA allies, who have expressed their unhappiness with the statement in the run up to the assembly and general elections agruing that it will act as rider for the Congress Party during election campaign trail.

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