BJP demands white paper on price rise

Shimla, Apr 14 (UNI) The BJP today demanded that the UPA government issue a white paper on the rising prices of essential commodities in the country and that it should explain steps undertaken by the government to check price rise.

''The prices of essential commodities in the country during the last few months had increased by 25 to 50 per cent on every good and the UPA government should explain the steps taken by it to reign in price rise,'' BJP president Rajnath Singh said at Abhar rally (thanksgiving rally) here.

The rally was organised to thank the electorate, who had voted for the BJP that won all the five Assembly constituencies in the district during the last Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Singh said the coming Lok Sabha elections would be held on time and there was no possibility of these being held earlier as the Central government was in no position to face the voters when the prices of all commodities had skyrocketed.

Referring to the Centre's proposal to provide reservations in government jobs to Muslims, he said it was against the spirit of the constitution and reservation on jobs should only be provided on economic and not religious basis.

Accusing the UPA government of going mild on terrorism, the BJP president said, ''It failed in containing terrorist activities across the country and several hundred innocent people have fallen to the strikes of terrorists.'' He also criticised the centre for mishandling of the Tibet issue and said instead of standing up for the Tibetans, the Congress was out to ''appease'' the Chinese government, which had summoned the Indian Ambassador at 0200 hrs last month.

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