New Delhi: BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday condemned Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma`s remarks of being "happy" over rising food prices and accused the Centre of being hand-in-glove with the "inflation mafia".
"Only inflation mafia can be happy... The government is hand-in-glove with inflation mafia," Naqvi said here.
He observed that despite the controversy, the Congress has neither distanced itself from the remarks nor condemned them.
"Such a senior minister is saying that he is happy with rising prices," Naqvi said, adding that Verma had even tried to justify his remarks later.
Verma kicked up a controversy with remarks that he was "happy" over rising prices of food items as it will benefit farmers, evoking sharp criticism today from opposition parties and UPA supporter Samajwadi Party.
PTI
