BJP rides price rise to effect Congress fall

In 1998, the Congress romped to power in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh on the strength of rising prices of onions, a staple of the poor man’s diet. In 2009, the issue of soaring food prices, notably of commodities like sugar and potatoes are making a comeback as a very real factor in polls.

In the past few months, according to figures put out by the department of consumer affairs, the retail price of sugar has shot up from Rs20 per kilogram in October 2008 to Rs28 per kilogram in March. More worryingly, the retail price of potato has shot up from Rs7 per kilogram to Rs11 per kilogram in one month alone.

“These are startling figures considering a good agricultural crop coming in and inflation easing in other sectors,” said an official in the ministry.

The BJP was quick to seize the advantage fielding Arun Jaitely to take on prime minister Manmohan Singh’s performance vis-à-vis the economy. “Why are food prices increasing when there is a bumper crop and a slowdown in the economy,” he said. “The Congress is clearly in denial about the real economic situation,” he said.

The Congress was quick to respond, with Abhishek Manu Singhvi, spokesperson for the party blaming hoarders and black-marketers for the shortage.

“We are aware that certain sections of society are hoarding and creating shortages and you can be certain that the government will use the stick to deal with the matter,” he said.

“This issue will become important as the election unfolds, let the campaign take off in places like Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, and even in certain parts of Maharashtra,” said a senior BJP leader.