UPA Left standoff a 'drama': Sinha

Coimbatore, Jun 24 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader Yashwant Sinha today lambasted the Congress-led UPA Government and Left parties ''for the drama in New Delhi'' over the Indo-US nuclear deal to ''divert the attention of the people from soaring prices of essential commodities.'' Mr Sinha, who was here to attend the District Parliamentary Party Review Meet, told newspersons while the UPA Government said it would sign the pact with the US, the Left threatened to withdraw support to it. But nothing happened. However, both failed to look at the problems of the common masses showing ''clear paralysis in government.'' ''The BJP was watching the whole situation while preparing for the nearing Lok Sabha elections,'' he added.

To a question, Mr Sinha ruled out any electoral alliance with the DMK in Tamil Nadu for the assembly elections.

Accusing congress President Sonia Gandhi of politicising the issue of rising inflation by criticising the previous BJP-led NDA Government, Mr Sinha, quoting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement, said parties should not politicise the issue of inflation which had touched a historical high of 11.5 per cent.

UPA Government leaders were blaming the state governments, especially those led by the BJP, for inflation, traders for hoarding the commodities and international environment like price rise in crude oil for the high inflation.

He said the present hike in fuel prices was unaffordable and could not be accepted by the people.

High inflation, budget deficit, expansion in money supply and shortages developing in economy were hurting the country, he said while questioning the shortage of LPG.

He said it would be very difficult for the next Government to tackle such issues.

Mr Sinha claimed people were not happy with the Government and showed their anger during the state elections. This will be reflected during the Lok Sabha elections also, he added.

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