UPA making poor dependent on govt: BJP

Criticising the UPA government for its ambitious food security programme, BJP today said the scheme would make a large section of the population dependent on the government.

'It is evident from government's own version that 82 crore inhabitants are not in a position to stand on their own feet by way of their own resources and look forward very keenly towards government exchequer to keep themselves alive,' BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on sidelines of a press conference here.

He alleged that the UPA government had failed to curb poverty in the country and many people do not have purchasing power even to avail the minimum quantity of food grains.

He said now, the government was going to distribute 'alms like assistance.'

On Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's announcement to provide sugar at the rate of Rs 13.40 per kg in her state, Naqvi claimed it was a populist move at the expense of the government exchequer.

Warning the electorate to remain vigilant, he said, 'Otherwise, the next government shall have no option but to multiply taxes to meet the official expenses.'

Naqvi also criticised allies of the UPA alleging they had kept the 'corrupt' government in power for petty political gains.