The war of words between the Congress and BJP on the power tariff issue continued with the two parties accusing each other of “misleading” people to grab power in the national capital.

Addressing a press conference, the Delhi Power Minister, Mr Harun Yusuf (in photo), rejected the Delhi BJP president, Mr Vijay Goel's claim that there has been a 300 per cent hike in power tariff in the last three years. Mr Ysusf said the increase was in the range 50 to 100 per cent and claimed that electricity rates in Delhi are much lower compared to other states.

Justifying the hike, Mr Yusuf said the power purchase cost has increased manifold in the last few years. “The cost of procuring electricity has increased from Rs 1.50 per unit in 2002 to Rs 6.80 in 2012-13. Goel should also refer to the increase in usage and peak demand that his government 15 years ago could never manage,” Mr Yusuf said. He was accompanied by Revenue Minister Arvinder Singh and PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan at the Press conference.

The BJP, which has already announced that it will cut tariff by 30 per cent if it comes to power in the December election,  rejected the argument.