Price rise turned people against Congress: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said price rise was a factor in turning people against the Congress.

"I will be honest enough to say that price rise was a factor in people turning against Congress," the prime minister said in a media interaction here.

He said he had "explained why price rise took place" and added it was because of factors beyond government's control in international market.

He also said steps have been taken to protect the weaker sections.

"We have taken enough measures to protect weaker sections of our society. Prices of food grains have not increased since 2003. Through MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), we have ensured rural wages earned by agricultural labour," he said.