Manmohan govt focussed on nuke deal not inflation: CPI

Raipur, Jun 20 (UNI) CPI National General Secretary A B Bardhan today charged the Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government with according more priority to the Indo-US nuclear deal instead of controlling the spiraleing inflation, which registered a 13-year high of 11.05 per cent.

''Inflation has shot up to 11.05 per cent and could go towards 12 per cent. However, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his government is focussed on pushing the nuclear deal instead of effectively reining in the inflation,'' Mr Bardhan told a press conference here.

Taking a potshot at Finance Minister P Chidambaram, the CPI leader said, ''Mr Chidambaram should do some self-introspection, whether he had any utility in the government and the Prime Minister should also think on the same line.'' Coming down heavily on the Centre for trying to salvage the nuclear deal while ignoring the surging inflation that has hit common man the hardest, he said, adding that unfortunately both US President George Bush and the Prime Minister had made the nuclear deal a prestige issue.

''Mr Bush has four months left to complete his tenure and Dr Singh has nine months left with him. So, both have made the deal a prestige issue. However, they should understand that the deal is not a personal matter but related to two countries,'' Mr Bardhan said.

Criticising those advocating the nuclear deal as necessary for energy security, the CPI leader said foodgrain security was in danger and raging inflation was making it difficult for poor man to survive.

He said several other sources, including gas pipe line, could provide energy and nuclear deal was not necessary. However, no one was paying attention in that direction.

On whether the country was on the verge of elections, he said frequent elections was not in the interest of the country but the Manmohan Singh Government was progressing in that direction.

However, elections in November would not be in the interest of the country.

UNI AS-PS SYU RN2011