Advani to PM: What’s the real price rise story?

LK Advani has asked PM to clarify whether the prices of several essential items in the wholesale price index had "not been changed for months, reports Shekhar Iyer.

As Parliament debated the price rise phenomenon, Leader of the Opposition LK Advani on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to clarify whether the prices of several essential items in the wholesale price index had "not been changed for months, thus giving an incomplete picture of inflation in the real world".

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Addressing the BJP parliamentary party, Advani said, "I would like to know from the PM if this is true. If this is even partially true, it raises serious questions about the honesty and integrity of the UPA government."

Turning the heat on the government over the price rise, he said, "A government that is not truthful with the citizens is not fit to govern. We wish to tell the UPA loudly and clearly — control prices, else quit."

The BJP MPs discussed plans to intensify the agitation on the issue on a day the government came under all-round attack in Parliament over its "failure" to check the price spiral.

Advani said, "Instead of confronting the problem with a proper plan and a united effort that can instil confidence among the people, they (ministers) are busy passing the buck and blaming the Opposition."