Jaganmohan Reddy pulls up Centre over inflation, petrol price hike

Visakhapatnam, Jan 23 (ANI): Former Kadapa MP Jaganmohan Reddy has slammed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre for its failure to curb the rising inflation and petrol price hike.

"Today, the situation of the state is very bad. I request all poor people to withdraw support to the ruling Congress government," said Reddy, while addressing a mass rally at the port city of Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

He also asked the leaders of Andhra Pradesh and the Centre to wake up from their slumber and address issues concerning the welfare of the people.

"I pray that the state and the central ruling Congress party opens its eyes even in the interest for people," added Reddy.

Jaganmohan had resigned from the party after the Congress expressed anger over the episodes telecast on Sakshi television channel owned by him, which criticized the party leadership.

India is beset by rising food and fuel prices, and the Central Government has drawn flak for failing to check inflation.

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI), India's main inflation gauge, rose to annual 8.43 percent in December, after a rise of 7.48 percent in November.

India's fuel inflation rose to 11.19 percent in December from 10.3 percent in November.

Food makes up about 14 percent of the wholesale price index, while fuel contributes to about 15 percent.

Vegetable prices were up 3.84 percent week-on-week and have risen around 71 percent year-on-year. Onions were up nearly 2 percent on the week and 71 percent on an annual basis. (ANI)