CPI-ML to organise rally against price rise

The Communist Party of India - Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) has criticised the prime minister's bid to set up a panel of chief ministers and union ministers to quell spirallin prices saying it was nothing but an attempt to hoodwink the people of the states reeling under escalation of prices of essential commodities.

Blaming both the Centre and the NDA government in Bihar for the unprecedented price rise of essential commodities, CPI-ML general secretary, Deepankar Bhattacharya said it would organise a massive rally here on March 30 to "unmask" the real face of both the Centre and state government in tackling price hike.

"Constitution of panel will not serve the interests of common men facing the brunt of price rise as sugar and pulses havedisappeared from the tea cups and plates of the people," Bhattacharya said.

Charging the Bihar government with failing to initiate aqction against the blackmarketeers and hoarders, the CPI-ML leader said, "In fact the hoarders and blackmarketeers of essential commodities, seed and fertiliers are enjoying state patronage.".

He said that "faulty trade policy" being pursued by the Centre was also responsible for the price rise.

Before the rally, the party would demonstrate from block to district level againstprice rise, he said.

The slogan of the party will be "Dam Bandho, Kam do, Bhumi Sudhra ko Anzam Do ( Arrest the price rise, give work to havenots and implement the land reform measures) as suggested by Bandopadhyaya Commission," Deepankar said.

He charged the Congress with giving an opportunity to the Shiv Sainiks and Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena (MNS) activists to beat up the North Indians particularly Bihari labourers during 2008-09.

AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi did not utter a word in favour of Bihari students and the labourers when they were being beaten up in Maharashtra, he alleged.

"The people of Bihar will give a befitting reply to Rahul Gandhi irrespective of his efforts to estbalish direct rapport with the voters, particularly the youths", during his recent visit to the state, Bhattacharya said.