Kolkata, June 28 (IANS) Refusing to attach much importance to the cut in petrol prices announced Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the rates have been lowered in view of the upcoming presidential poll and these would be raised later.

The price has been reduced because of the presidential poll. They will increase it later, said Banerjee at the state secretariat Writers' Buildings.

She also emphasised that crude prices have gone down by Rs.100 per barrel (159 litres). So they should have reduced it by Rs.10 to Rs.30 per litre.

Banerjee's Trinamool Congress is the second largest constituent of the ruling United Progressive Alliance. However, her party's ties with the Congress are now strained over the issue of Banerjee's demand for a financial package for her debt-ridden state.

The relations have worsened in the run-up to the presidential poll, with Banerjee firmly opposing UPA nominee of former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's candidature and making a futile effort to put up former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for the country's top office.

With Kalam opting out of the race, she is yet to announce her stand on the poll.

Earlier in the day, India's three oil marketing companies (OMCs) decided to reduce petrol prices by a minimum of Rs.2.46 a litre, depending on states' sales taxes, from midnight, they announced.