What rationale behind sending Yechuri to Nepal: BJP

Mandi, HP, Apr 28: Taking the Manmohan Singh government to task for deputing CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury to Nepal, BJP president Rajnath Singh today wanted to know in ''what capacity'' the Left leader had been assigned the role of an interlocutor.

Addressing rallies here and in Bilaspur, Mr Singh, who is on a ''Bharat suraksha yatra,'' warned the government against taking the developments in Nepal lightly as they had a significant bearing on India.

Since the Left parties were not part of the UPA government, deputing Mr Yechuri to Nepal to oversee the restoration of multi-party democracy in the neighbouring country was highly objectionable the BJP president said.

Instead of entrusting the serious job with a Left leader, ''the government should personally monitor the transition phase in Nepal very closely,'' he added.

Holding the UPA government responsible for allowing unchecked migration of Bangladeshi's to India, he said the Centre's lapse had totally changed the demography of Assam and was posing serious problems in West Bengal and other states.

Charging the Manmohan Singh government with all-round failure, Mr Singh said never before had wheat, rice, pulses and sugar prices soared so high in the country.

The Centre should moderate the prices of petroleum products through duty cuts.

The BJP president also sought an explanation from the Prime Minister on the conflicting statements of HRD Minister Arjun Singh on OBC reservation at the time of assembly elections.

Clarifying BJP's stand on Telangana, he said the party was in favour of creation of smaller states, including Vidharbha which is now part of Maharashtra.

UNI