BJP lambasts UPA govt on its dismal economic performance

New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) Mr M A Kharabela Swain(BJP) today criticised the UPA government for its dismal performance on the economic front, saying that the economy was being pushed into a situation of stagflation and ran the risk of being downgraded by international rating agencies.

Participating in the debate on the confidence motion moved by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr Swain said the country would soon be confronted with double digit inflation, prices of essential items like wheat and rice would not come down despite a bountiful monsoon, prices of petrol and petroleum products would again be raised and cement and steel producers were already contemplating hiking prices of these commodities.

Mr Prabhunath Singh of JD(U) demanded an inquiry into charges of horse-trading.

He described the withdrawal of support of the Left parties from the UPA government as opportunistic, saying that despite that they knew all along that the government would go ahead with the nuclear deal, they had supported it.

It was only now that when they saw the elections round the corner, they had decided to part ways.

He said there had always been a consensus in Parliament on the country's foreign policy, but it was for the first time that the government had brought a divide both in Parliament and outside on the subject.

Both the speakers opposed the motion moved by the Prime Minister.

UNI GS PK AS2245