Rahul Gandhi hopes for check on inflation

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, who toured Karnataka last week to understand people's problems, on Saturday emphasised the need to check the rising prices of food and other essential commodities.

"It is in our interest that we check the rising prices. Prices of food and other commodities have to be kept under control in the interest of the poor," he said.

He contended that the prime minister and the finance minister were working at keeping the prices under control.

"The UPA government is of the poor and for the poor. The prime minister, who is one of the most competent people to deal with the economic matters, is seized of the issue and measures are being taken to address the issue," Gandhi said.

With inflation touching 6.8 per cent last week, Communist Party of India-Marxists (CPM) blamed the UPA government's policies for the rising fuel and food prices at its politburo conclave at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.

However, Gandhi contended that the government was aware of the issue. "We are proud of what we have done over the last four years and are still doing for the poor. The Union Budget for next fiscal (2008-09) highlights the government's priority to empower the poor, farmers and other less-privileged people," he contended.

On Congress, Gandhi indicated that he would like to give more representation to youth in electoral politics, as they could not only infuse a lot of positive energy in body polity, but also utilise the opportunity to serve the people.

"I am in favour of empowering the youth with representation across the political spectrum, spanning local bodies, assembly and parliament. The more young people we have in the political system the better it is for governing a vast country like India with diverse people, traditions and beliefs," he said.