Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (GA)  
 
Mangalore, Apr 3: "UPA is to blamed for skyrocketing prices" lambasted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district president Monappa Bhandary on Wednesday April 4 squarely blaming the UPA government for the recent inflation and steep price rise in the country.

Speaking to reporters here Bhandary pointed out that after the UPA government came to power four years ago, it had failed miserably on all fronts.

Listing out his grievances he said that with regard to internal and external security there has been a failure, terrorism has spread to various parts of the country and Naxalism was on the rise and increasing. According to him, it was the man on the street who was badly affected owing to rise in price of commodities.

On the other hand lauding the NDA government, he said that it had then enforced POTA in order to control terrorism. Inflation was never higher than 3 points then, whereas it is now more than 6.5 points, he compared.

Elaborating on his tirade against UPA Bhandary said that even the price of salt had increased tremendously and at present there is a shortage of salt. In this context he informed that if earlier in 2002 the rate of salt was Rs 1.80 per kg, today in 2008 it varies from Rs 4.50 to Rs 6. "This is the state of the country where the Salt Satyagraha was held.” he rued further.

Bhandary also made similar comparisons of various commodities like sugar, rice, cement, coffee and gas price in 2002 with present rates. Giving more instances, Bhandary said the price of gold has increased from Rs 5,000 per gram in 2002 to Rs 12,200 per 10 gram at present.