He criticised Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee for raising the prices of diesel, kerosene and LPG at a meeting of economic group of ministers on Friday.
"From the statement made by finance minister and the Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy and from the justifications advanced by them, it appears that the Congress government is no longer democratically elected, but is actually acting like a private company," he said.
The BJP organised countrywide protest against the sharp hike in the prices of particularly the LPG. "The BJP is opposing the anti-people decision of the Congress led UPA government. Across the country in all district headquarters party workers have organised dharnas against the price hike. In these demonstrations, the participation of the common people in large number indicates that there is widespread anger among the people. The Congress has lost the
moral right to call itself a champion of the common man," he claimed.
He said the action of the government reminded him of June 25, 1975 when Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in India to protect her interests and remain in power.
"It is remembered as the dark chapter in the history of Indian democracy, 36 years ago. Friday's price showed the dictatorial face of the Congress party. It will not be stretching the case too far to say that today there is a situation of economic emergency in the country. Due to wrong economic policies of the UPA government, the unabated inflation has affected the villagers, the poor, farmers and the laborers as well as the middle classes very severely," he said.
"On top of that, the decision by the UPA government to increase the price of diesel by Rs 3, Kerosene by Rs 2 and LPG by Rs 50 will not only add to inflation further but will also deny two square meals to the common man. The Congress claim that its 'hand' is with the common man but the same 'hand' has today made the life of the common man miserable," he added.
He charged the union government of failing in controlling prices, which would push up the inflation rate in the country. Interestingly most of the party leaders stayed away from dharnas.
