The Hindu : New Delhi News : Manmohan’s remarks ‘callous’: Yechury

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Manmohan’s remarks ‘callous’: Yechury

Special Correspondent

“Government should accept its failure to control price rise”

Seeks assurance on points raised in the Left’s memorandum to the PM
Every party has the right to voice its concern: JD(U)

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) took “strong objection” in the Rajya Sabha to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement issued on Friday that asked political parties to eschew the temptation of politicising the misery of people (on price rise). Raising the matter during zero hour, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said the statement was issued after the meeting of a Left delegation with Dr. Singh here on Friday. “As a political party, we have every right to raise people’s issues. It cannot be described in such a callous manner.” The entire Opposition, including the Bhartiya Janata Party, associated with his observations.

When some members of the treasury benches objected to the use of strong words by Mr. Yechury, he said: “Please understand my sentiment. To say that political parties should eschew temptation to exploit the plight of the people is an insulting remark. The government should eschew all temptation to be irresponsible to the people’s plight and accept its failure to control price rise.” He sought the government’s assurance on the points raised by the CPI(M)-led Left parties in their memorandum to the Prime Minister on price rise. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh said price rise was a substantial issue. When Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan sought to restrict him,Mr. Singh urged the Chair “not to point a finger at him.” “It is wrong of the Prime Minister to say that we are playing politics [on price rise]. This is a debatable issue,” Mr. Singh said.

Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav said every political party had the right to voice its concern over rising prices.

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