BJP to launch a five month agitation from January 16

Bangalore, Dec 27 (UNI) Charging the UPA government with failure in containing the price rise of essential commodities and dividing society, senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today said his party would launch a five-month agitation across the country from January 16.

Participating in a 'Meet the Press' programme, organised by the Bangalore Press Club here, Mr Naidu alleged that ever since the UPA assumed power at the centre, the common man was the most hit with prices of almost all essential commodities increasing.

He said while the farming community was not getting the remunerative prices for their produce, resulting in farmer suicides, the consumers were having difficulty in balancing their budget in view of the high prices of all farm products in the entire country.

Mr Naidu, while claiming that his party was on a comeback trail, said the agitation would culminate on May 15 next year.

Party workers in all the districts in the country would launch a massive education programme wherein the failures of the UPA government would be highlighted. The party had also planned public meetings, rallies and processions.

He said the five-month agitation would be followed with a 'Jail Bharo' programme in which all the wings of the party including the Yuva Morcha, SC/ST and Mahila Morcha.

Over one crore blood signatures would be collected and submitted to President A P J Abdul Kalam, seeking the implementation of capital punishment for Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

Mr Naidu alleged that the UPA government was following appeasement policies to woo the votes of minorities and dividing the society.

On the JD(S)-BJP alliance in Karnataka, Mr Naidu said the central party leaders were impressed with its performance and said that it would continue without any hitch in the future also. He said the BJP was committed to implementation of the Common Minimum Programme of the coalition government in Karnataka and also expressed confidence that JD(S) would not deviate from its agenda.

Replying to questions, Mr Naidu said there was no leadership crisis in the party.

On the Kavita Rani murder case in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Naidu demanded that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulyam Singh Yadav refer the case to the CBI as two ministers were allegedly involved. He said the Samajawadi government's credibility was eroded badly following the incidents of murders, kidnapping and large scale criminal activities in the state.

UNI MV RM VK RR KN1513