Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra
Modi on Monday came down heavily on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
on price rise and said he has disappointed the entire nation
on the issue concerning the common man.
Modi also said Singh was trying to transfer the blame of
price rise on the states.
"I was highly disappointed when I came to know of what
the PM said in his speech in Delhi today. It would have been
better if the PM had pledged to fight the price rise and gave
directions on steps to be taken to curb inflation," Modi said
during a function appointing the new State BJP President.
"While discussing food security he (the PM) talked about
increasing food production. It would have been better if he
had spoke two words about the initiatives of the states to
reduce the problems of the Union Government."
Singh should have shown sympathy for the poor people and
the common public, who are suffering because of the rise in
prices of essential commodities. But in his speech there was
no mention of such feelings, the BJP leader said.
"PM has disappointed the entire nation. And because of
this, middlemen will get more strength as they will feel the
Union Government is helpless. They will act according to their
will," Modi said.
Singh, addressing the first annual conference of Chief
Secretaries in Delhi, told states that they should use all
instruments in their command to make available essential
commodities to the poor and common man at reasonable prices.
"PM is trying to transfer the blame on the states (on
price rise). I would like to ask him why did you (Congress)
say in the election manifesto that if the party comes to power
it would bring down inflation within 100 days. He also
promised to bring down inflation in the budget session and
also during the presidential address," Modi said.
"All these three events clearly suggest that price
rise is a Union subject, responsibility of the PM and the
Union Government," the Chief Minister said.
Modi said, "They (Congress) are avoiding taking steps
to curb rising prices as it does not suit their kind of
politics and because of which the country is suffering."
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 01, 2010, 23:44