Phase-2 stir against price hike from Mar 23: Venkaiah

Chennai, Feb 25 (UNI) Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today said the party would launch the second phase of its nation-wide agitation against price hike of essential commodities on March 23.

Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Naidu said the agitation would start on March 23 and continue till April 30 in all the state and district quarters. Rallies would be organised to register protest against the rise in inflation during the past two years, he added.

''The Prime Minister and his team may feel elated over the eight per cent growth in the GDP. This growth rate is primarily on account of the impetus of economic decisions taken during the NDA regime'', he said.

Mr Naidu said the most dismal failure of the UPA was reflected in the rise in inflation and the plight of the Indian farmer.

''The past two years have seen inflation at its highest particularly in relation to the cost of food items. Prices of wheat, rice, pulses, vegetables and edible oils have increased sharply'', he pointed out.

''The Prime Minister's latest attempt to pass the responsibility of controlling prices upon the states is not merely an admission of failure but an abdication of duty, he said adding ''there is now a considerable consensus in economic opinion that part of the GDP growth is phony inasmuch as even inflation is contributing to the GDP rise.

UNI