Soaring inflation irks CPI,National Executive to intensify agitati

New Dehi May 10 (UNI) As inflation soared to a nearly four-year high touching 7.61 per cent, the CPI today came down heavily on the Manmohan Singh government for its "total failure" on price front and resolved to further intensify the anti-price rise agitation including de-hoarding campaigns.

"We have already started the de-hoarding campaign in Andhra Pradesh," CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja told UNI shortly after the nine-member party meeting in Central Secretariat here this noon.

"Inflation is going up, while the prices of essential commodities are becoming out of reach of the poor, and for a large sections of the middle class," the CPI leaders said, adding that the government has failed to curb inflation and check price rise.

The meeting of CPI's 31-member National Executive, which began this afternoon, will deliberate upon a wide range of eco-political issues like unabated rise in inflation and escalation in prices of essential commodities, Indo-US nuclear deal, Women's Reservation Bill, anti-Pasco movement, by elections in Andhra Pradesh, forthcoming Panchayat polls in West Begnal, unorganised Sector Workers' legislation and political developments in Nepal and others.

The CPI leadership will also discuss the ongoing Assembly polls in Karnataka."We are contesting 10 seats in an alliance with the 'Janprarajkiye Ganga'," they asserted.

When asked about former President A P J Abdul Kalam's advocacy for going ahead with the civilian nuclear deal and his assertion that it did not compromise India's sovereignity, Mr Bardhan and Mr Raja said, "He holds a certain view but we don't agree with him." On Mr Kalam's painting a very rosy picture and optimism about India becoming a developed nation in another 10 years, the CPI leaders quipped, "What can we do about it. Let him entertain his good wish." Among others, who were participating in the two-day NE meeting include Party Deputy General Secretary S Sudhakar Raddy, party parliamentary group leader Gurudas Dasgupta, party National Secretary Shamim Faizi and other senior leaders- Atul Kumar Anjan and Amarjeet Kaur.

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