The BJP on Monday slammed the Opposition parties for the Bharat Bandh called against increase in fuel prices and said the inflationary trend was temporary and caused by global factors which were beyond the control of the Central Government.
Hitting out at the Congress and its allies, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that they resorted to violence during the Bandh due to lack of support from the masses.
“We are standing with the people in their concern, but this is a problem whose solution is not in our hands,” he said.
The Modi Government has worked a lot to bring down inflation and has achieved success as well, said Prasad, adding that inflation was 10.4 per cent between 2009 and 14 of UPA rule and is now 4.7 per cent.
“The people were indifferent to the nationwide shutdown, because they understand the rise in fuel prices, though temporary, is because of factors beyond the control of the Indian Government,” he said. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also criticised the Congress saying it has been a “history-sheeter” on the issue of price rise whenever it was in power and is now shedding crocodile tears.
Accusing the Opposition of tying to create a “negative atmosphere” in the country since Modi came to power in May 2014, he wondered if some “invisible hand” gave “supari” (contract) to destroy the progress India has made.
“The Congress is a cruise of corruption and whichever party joins it will sink with it,” he said, adding this is the reason several Opposition parties have kept away from the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given by the Congress.