US-based policies responsible for gloomy economy: Joshi

Bilaspur, Nov 17 (UNI) Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi today held the US-based polices of the UPA Government responsible for pushing the economy into doldrums.

Talking to reporters here, Dr Joshi, who was here to canvass votes for the second phase of polling in Chhattisgarh assembly polls, blamed the Prime Minister for making false statements.

''International prices of petrol has nothing to do with inflation, which should have come down when petroleum prices had fallen globally,'' he said, adding that the Prime Minister was now telling that prices of petroleum products would not be reduced until losses of oil companies was not compensated.

Pointing out that it was not necessary to link rupee directly to dollar, he said rupee could be linked to other currencies as well.

Expressing apprehension that rupee could fall further from Rs 55 to Rs 60 per dollar, Dr Joshi said this would unnecessarily burden the economy and affect developmental works.

Referring to the Prime Minister's participation in the meeting of G-20 countries, he wanted to know what issue did he raise during the meeting.

Dr Joshi stressed on the need for change in the fundamentals of Indian economy.

Agreeing that the BSP was no longer a regional party, the Minister said, ''Social engineering formula of the BSP has found success and the party has emerged as a national party.'' The BSP has fielded candidates from all assembly seats in Chhattisgarh. BSP Supremo Mayawati has addressed huge public gathering along with her party's 51 candidates. The public gathering is considered as the largest one so far.

However, praising Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who has got confidence of public, Dr Joshi claimed that the BJP will return to power. He said naxalism had gone down due to developmental works carried out during the BJP rule.

The party would eradicate the problem completely if it came to power again, he added.

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