New Delhi, July 13 : On an upward trajectory since July 5, petrol prices in the financial capital of the country crossed the Rs 84 per litre mark on Friday and was sold at Rs 84.14 a litre.
The cost of the fuel in Mumbai rose 17 paise from Rs 83.97 on Thursday, according to data from the Indian Oil Corp.
In the other major cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, petrol was sold at Rs 76.76, Rs 79.42 and Rs 79.67 per litre, up from Rs 76.59, Rs 79.26 and Rs 79.49 respectively on Thursday.
In Mumbai, along with the other metros prices rose to unprecedented levels in May, with the all time high being Rs 86.24, recorded on May 29. It had first touched the Rs 84 a litre level on May 20.
After a hiatus of around 36 days fuel prices started to rise on July 5. However, on July 10 and 11 prices were steady.
In tandem with petrol, the price of diesel also went up across the four metros. It was sold at Rs 68.43, Rs 70.98, Rs 72.61 and Rs 72.24 per litre in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai respectively, up from the previous levels of Rs 68.30, Rs 70.85, Rs 72.47 and Rs 72.10 per litre.
The high prices of diesel gain significance as it is used in the transportation of agriculture and food products, which in turn impacts the country's inflation rate.
The retail inflation in June, as released on Thursday, touched the 5 per cent mark, compared to 4.87 per cent in May, one of the reasons being the high fuel prices.
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Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
