Happy with price rise, will benefit farmers: Beni Prasad

Union minister for steel Beni Prasad Verma has created yet another controversy by saying that he was happy with the rising prices as the inflation benefited the farmers. Umesh Raghuvanshi reports.

Union minister for steel Beni Prasad Verma has created yet another controversy by saying that he was happy with the rising prices as the inflation benefited the farmers.

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Verma though has retracted the controversial statement saying that he never welcomed the inflation - his remarks have created a storm in the political circles in Lucknow.

"I am happy with the rising prices as this will benefit the farmers," said Verma. On Tuesday Verma however blamed the media for creating controversy saying he had never welcomed the rising prices.

Major political parties however have condemned Verma's statement. Samajwadi Party state spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said Verma's statement reflected on the union minister's mental bankruptcy. Verma was not sensitive towards the people and his controversial statements were responsible for the Congress' debacle in 2012 assembly elections, he said.

About the Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's observations that the third front may win the 2014 Lok Sabha elections Verma said Yadav had lost his mental balance. "Yadav's dream of third front coming to power would never come true," said Verma.

Reacting strongly to the union minister's statement Chaudhary said Verma should introspect before making any comments against Yadav. Chaudhary said Verma had remained closely associated with the RSS and his conduct was against all the established political norms.

This was not for the first time that Yadav's statement had generated any controversy. His statements over various issues had created a storm in the political circles earlier as well.