UPA's development formula only tailored for the rich: Karat

Bali (WB), April 21: Criticising Congress President Sonia Gandhi for her comments about alleged backwardness of West Bengal, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said her development recipe was "tailored for only the rich".

"Soniaji criticised the lack of progress in Bengal under the Left. But it is a little surprising since by progress they mean making the rich richer," Karat told a public meeting in Bali area in Howrah district.

Claiming that the Left front government ensured that the poor and marginalised section was more economically empowered unlike many other states, Karat said the interest of the common man has never been accorded priority by the Congress-Trinamool alliance.

"This government always stood by you, it ensured historic land forms and facilitated the growth of small industries," he said, ridiculing the ''paribartan'' (change) slogan of the Opposition alliance.

Continuing his tirade at TC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Karat said he wondered why "she kept silent in Delhi despite the Centre's decision to hike fuel on seven occasions while making all the noises on her home turf."

Demanding that not only BPL people but those with an income of less than Rs 10,000 per month should be given food grains at subsidised prices, Karat said, "This will cushion the steep price effect on the poor and lower middle class."

Karat said the UPA government was stung by one scam after another even as the Left front here was free from any such controversy.

He was addressing a rally to campaign for the CPI(M) canaidate from Bali Assembly seat Kanika Ganguly.

PTI