Lalu backs Sharad,puts Congress in the dock

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday got support from an unexpected quarter with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad coming out in his support by holding the Congress responsible for escalating prices of essential commodities. Soon after filing his nomination for RJDs national president post,Prasad said,Sharad Pawar alone cant do anything on the issue as his hands are tied.

Putting the Congress in the dock for the rising prices of essential commodities,he alleged that the faulty policy pursued by the UPA,particularly the Congress,had led to the mounting prices.

Asked as to why his party was continuing its support to the UPA at the Centre despite spiralling prices,Prasad said,Our support doesnt have any meaning there.

The RJD leader pledged to launch an agitation akin to the 1974 movement launched by Jaiprakash Narain against price rise which had led to the ouster of the Congress from several states and the Centre. He,however,quickly added that mediapersons should also put a question to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as to why his JDU was continuing alliance with the BJP,a party which is patronising traders on the price hike.