CPM blames PM Modi's policies for onion price hike

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) on Thursday said that the prices of onions were soaring high because of the poor policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Expressing concern over the rising prices of onions, that crossed Rs 60 per kg this week in Delhi, CPM leader Brinda Karat said that people of India were paying a heavy political price.

"People of India are paying a heavy political price because of the prime minister's completely wrong policies. Today onions are being sold at Rs 70 per kg. People are crying. They are paying the political price for having voted Modi ji and his government," she told ANI.

Earlier on Wednesday, Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan expressed helplessness in controlling the rising prices of onions.

Reacting to this, the CPM leader said that government should not be sitting in power if it cannot control the prices.

"If the government cannot control the increasing prices of onions and all essentials commodities then why are they sitting in power? One of the main promises they made to control the prices is not being fulfilled," she added.

Paswan had, on Wednesday, held a meeting with officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Food including the Delhi Government in the wake of soaring prices of onions and tomatoes.

Addressing the media Paswan had said, "We have taken several measures, such as procurement by agencies from areas such as Nashik (Maharashtra) and Alwar (Rajasthan) where the cost is lower, as well as import of onions. But, it (bringing down prices) is not in our hands.