Kerala BJP President K Surendran on Tuesday claimed the public does not care about the rise in fuel prices and that price spurt would not affect the local body polls in the state.

Petrol and diesel prices skyrocked for the sixth consecutive on Monday as rates went up by 26-30 paise per litre and rates for petrol in Delhi rose to Rs 83.71 per litre, from Rs 83.41 while diesel price went up from Rs 73.61 to Rs 73.87 per litre.

Mr Surendran said it was the Congress party which handed over the price regulation authority to the oil companies. "The rise in fuel prices in the country will not affect the public and it is not a factor in the election. It was the Congress which gave the price determination authority to the oil companies," K Surendran told reporters. His comment came as the first phase of the three-tier local body polls was held on Tuesday.

When asked about his protest against fuel price hike during the previous UPA rule, by pushing his scooter through the road, Mr Surendran said, "Today there are other people in the Opposition to take up that role."

Kerala records 72 pc voter turnout in local body polls

Stage set for the first phase of civic polls in Kerala

Election campaign for I-phase of Kerala local body polls ends; polling on Tuesday