Samajwadi Party slams UPA over price rise

Lucknow, May 18 (IANS) The Samajwadi Party Friday attacked the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for failing to control the spiralling prices of essential commodities and said the poor and the middle class were forced to lead a miserable life due to inflation.

"Congress policies are a big failure, and despite assurances by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and deadlines set by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, there has been no let up in the soaring prices," the party said in a statement here.

The ruling party in Uttar Pradesh said it was a paradox that on one hand there is bumper production of crops like wheat and on the other, people are forced to sleep empty stomachs.

Accusing the UPA government of being only concerned about the welfare of corporate houses, the Samajwadi Party said the recent nosedive on the bourses was an ominous sign that suggested that government of the day was "not only losing control but also faith".

It also suggested that the government should pay more attention to the agriculture sector which forms the backbone of the Indian economy.