Bhopal: NDA convenor Sharad Yadav on Tuesday said
the opposition was planning to call for a `Bharat bandh` on
food inflation and alleged that policies like opening of
commodities exchange were responsible for the crisis.
"The opposition after boycotting the house (Parliament)
on the issue of inflation is working on calling for a `Bharat
bandh` against the soaring prices of food items which has
badly hit the common man," Yadav told reporters here.
The UPA government`s policies like opening of commodities
exchange were responsible for the price rise, he alleged.
The government by effecting some changes in the
procurement policy of food grains has ended the monopoly of
Food Corporation of India (FCI) in 2004 to benefit the
Multi-National Corporations (MNCs), resulting in price rise of
essential commodities, the JD (U) chief said.
About Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi
Tharoor`s remark on Saudi Arabia`s `role` in resolving Kashmir
issue, Yadav said, the opposition would raise the issue in
Parliament.
"The Minister (Tharoor) is raking up controversies one
after another and thereafter he apologises for the same," he
said, adding he wanted to know from the government why he is
not removed from the ministry.
The minister`s remark had stoked a controversy and he
had clarified that he was misinterpreted by the media.
To a question on Kashmir, he said the country`s stand
on the issue was clear and that it did not need any third
party mediation.
Asked about Bharatiya Janshakti Party president Uma
Bharti`s letter expressing desire to join NDA, he said since
she was part of the BJP which is the NDA`s major constituent,
he would consult it on the matter.
PTI
