Thakre Asks Govt To Control Prices

With eyes set on assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram, the BJP's national executive meeting is slated to give directions to the Vajpayee government to take immediate measures to bring down prices of essential commodities. This direction is likely to figure in the economic resolution which the executive is likely to adopt on Saturday.

While drafting the resolution, senior party leaders argued that the party must show its concern for issues facing the common man, even if it meant an embarrassment to the government. This was necessary in the context of assembly elections in the four states towards this year's end, a party leader said.

Some BJP leaders feared that the resolution's inability to speak on price increase, could alienate its cadre. However, the resolution is unlikely to be harsh in its criticism. "We have to say there is a problem, and we can't afford to take risk," the BJP leader said.

The resolution is to urge the government to take action against hoarders responsible for the recent price increase. The BJP wants to signal that its identification as a party backed mainly by traders was no longer valid, a BJP office-bearer said. This was indicated in BJP president Kusha-bhau Thakre's inaugural speech. He described price increase as the most visible shortcoming of the government. "Hoarders and black marketeers have seized upon the situation to create an artificial crisis and further fuel spiralling prices," he said.

He called upon the government to take immediate remedial measures to ease pressure on the common man.

He asked partymen to mount a vigil against hoarders."Our cadre can play an active role in helping the government to crack down on those who seek to profit from people's misery," he said.

The BJP has concluded that the party as well as the party-led government have failed to educate people about major policy decisions taken recently.

This includes the Kisan credit policy and the policy about cotton growers. This year's union budget said that such farmers should not be arrested for failing to repay the loans, the BJP leader pointed out.

The RBI was to issue a directive to this effect. But even after the budget, suicide by farmers continued in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Some party leaders hold there is a communication gap, which needs to be removed. The resolution is likely to mention these.

The resolution's thrust, however, is to highlight the achievements of the economic ministries of the government.

The party has prepared a list of achievements of these ministries. The list is to be circulated to executive committee's member for reference.

The resolution is likely to applaud the government's decision to allocate more funds for rural development ;and small scale industries.