BJP dig at Rahul on inflation statement

New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) BJP today took dig at Rahul Gandhion his remark that coalition politics was responsible forrising prices, saying even the NDA government under AtalBihari Vajpayee was a coalition regime but prices were stablethen.

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman described Rahul''sstatement on this "very sensitive, critical issue of prices"as one which has come due to lack of understanding.

She said it was even more regrettable that this has comefrom "somebody who is being projected as a messiah of newleadership, youth leadership of the Congress party."

"Congress came to power in the name of aam admi, who forthe last two years has not heard anything other than priceswill come down in the next six months and some astrologicalpredictions about prices," she said.

The BJP leader said Congress has been telling people thatit is the compulsion of coalition politics due to whichgovernment is not taking enough action to bring prices down.

She claimed that in the erstwhile NDA rule, prices hadremained stable even during periods of drought.

"Let me remind here that even Vajpayee headed a coalitiongovernment with more than 20 political parties in it. Andduring that time prices were very much under control and theeconomy was vibrant," she said.

During periods of droughts, grains were sent to theaffected areas by the Centre which had also borne the costsinvolved.

BJP insisted that in a coalition government politicalparties comprising it may have to make some compromises ontheir core issues or ideology but not on prices ofcommodities.

"This just shows lack of understanding. What have pricesgot to do with this. There is a complete lack of leadershiptoday," Sitharaman said.

The principal opposition also pointed out that thegovernment had given two ministries having conflict ofinterest to one person (Sharad Pawar).

Sitharaman maintained that while the priority of theAgriculture Ministry was farmers'' interest, the Ministry ofConsumer Affairs, which she alleged is "probably inhibernation", wanted that the consumer got the best price. PTIRC