UPA-induced unemployment fueling violence: Varun Gandhi

Attacking the Congress-led central government for its policies, BJP general secretary Varun Gandhi Friday said the growing unemployment in the country is fueling violence and social problems.

The Bharatiya Janata Party MP also attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while addressing a party rally in Titagarh of West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

"The country in the last ten years has regressed in every sphere. There are more than five crore educated youth in the country who are unemployed and it is because of this violence and social problems are increasing," he said.

Gandhi alleged that Manmohan Singh got the prime minister's post "on a platter without any political credentials.

"If one gets something for free, one does not understand its value. When one gets an important opportunity (that of becoming the prime minister) one should know that he got it for the welfare of the people," he said.

Gandhi also attacked the Mamata Banerjee government in the state, accusing it of patronising criminals.

"A big slogan of change was raised but what kind of change has been brought in West Bengal?"

"If today we are unable to protect our sisters and provide employment for the youth, then what is the difference between the present state government and previous one," said Gandhi, referring to the recent spate of crime against women in the state.

Questioning the Banerjee government's attempts to attract big ticket industrial investments, he said: "Why cannot small industries be set up and bank loans be given to people for the purpose so that people here can earn two square meals day with dignity".