Mayawati blames UPA Government for surge in inflation

Hapur, Feb 23 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has blamed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for surging inflation.

"It is only due to the wrong economic policies of the UPA government that the inflationary prices are soaring in the country. This is badly affecting the poor and middle class population of the state," Mayawati told a gathering here.

"Despite efforts of the Central Government in the form of adopting different policies to reduce the inflation there is no visible decrease in the poverty of the poor in the state nor the country," she added.

She further said: " Congress is also responsible for poor state of affairs in UP where they ruled for 40 years."

"Poverty, inflation and unemployment have reached their maximum under the reign of Congress at the center," she added.

Further accusing the Congress of being corrupt, Mayawati said the party was involved in scams worth Rs.20 lakh crores.

Asserting that the BSP was the only party which made 'serious' efforts to bring real development in the state, Mayawati said: "UP government paid cane purchase price which was two times of what the other states paid.

"Introduction of a new land acquisition policy was also yet another important decision taken by her government to ensure the well being of the farmers," she added.

The Uttar Pradesh polls are being viewed as an opportunity for major political parties to re-establish their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state.

A new 403-member state assembly will be elected in March. The poll results will broadly indicate trends for the 2014 general elections. (ANI)