Left, BJP disappointed over PM's speech

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) The BJP and Left parties today expressed disappointment over the contents of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Independence Day address, saying he had ignored issues of terrorism and price hike.

BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it was unfortunate that Dr Singh seemed to offer a bouquet of flowers to Pakistan, which was aiding and abetting terrorism through liberal supply of arms, ammunition and grenades to be used against the people of India.

Mr Naqvi said terrorism and price rise were the twin issues that haunted every household of the country but the Prime Minister did not offer citizens any relief apart from promising to tackle them in a firm manner. He also did not reveal any plan to contain the spiralling prices.

The Left parties too took strong exception to his indication of ''increase'' in the kerosene and LPG prices and the absence of any ''concrete'' strategy to contain spiralling price rise, threat to internal security and farmers' suicides.

The leaders of the CPI(M), CPI and Forward Bloc, however, appreciated the PM's ''good intentions'' to tackle the problems of Naxalism, increase employment opportunites and empower women and rural development, but the lack of ways and means ''irritated'' them.

In separate interviews to UNI, the Left leaders - M K Pandhe and Gurudas Dasgupta - said Mr Singh's speech was not only ''directionless'' but also did not match his assurances at the ground level. They also regretted that none of their concerns for the masses were reflected in his speech ''that did not inspire any hope and confidence''.

They made a strong case for not ''considering'' the price hike of kerosene and LPG and referred to their suggestions to find out means to reduce the taxes on oil products.

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