Kochi, March 28 -- Congress MP Jebi Mather on Saturday called the slashing of excise duty on petrol and diesel a "temporary arrangement" ahead of Assembly elections in four States and one Union Territory.

The Union Finance Ministry has reduced special excise duty on petroleum products to keep petrol and diesel prices stable amid the tensions in West Asia. The duty on petrol has been cut from Rs 13 to Rs 3 per litre, while diesel duty has been reduced from Rs 10 to zero.

Congress MP Jebi Mather told ANI, "Sometimes we have these special express trains during special occasions, similar to this 'election special temporary arrangement system', which was put in place to balance the rates so that it looks like everything is fine. But everyone...