Party lines blur as INTUC joins price rise stir

After putting Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in the line of fire over rising prices,the Congress trade union arm INTUC joined a rally with Left and BJP-backed labour outfits on the issue of inflation on Friday....

After putting Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in the line of fire over rising prices,the Congress trade union arm INTUC joined a rally with Left and BJP-backed labour outfits on the issue of inflation on Friday. INTUC chief and Congress Working Committee member G Sanjeeva Reddy also courted arrest along with other trade union leaders who attacked the government over price rise.

Reddys appearance at the workers rally,organised jointly by all major trade unions,is seen as an attempt to distance himself and the INTUC from the governments policies,which according to the opposition has fuelled inflation. The increasing prices of food articles have hit the workers very hard and curtailed their purchasing power, he said.

Asked for his views on the increase in customs and excise duties on petrol and diesel which led to a hike in fuel prices,he said: I agree that it will have an indirect effect on prices. But the fiscal deficit has to be decreased.

I am not criticising the government politically. But we are opposed to some of the policies like disinvestment of profit-making PSUs, the Rajya Sabha MP said. He did not hide his anger with the Labour Ministry as well. When a delegation of INTUC leaders met the Prime Minister last month,he had promised us that a committee would be formed to look into the grievances of workers. The Finance Minister and the Labour Minister were also present. But nothing has been done till now and the Labour Ministry has not formed the committee, he said.

On whether his appearance at the rally along with top leaders of CITU,AITUC,BMS and HMS would send a wrong message,he said: I am not prohibited from attending such rallies… Besides,the Government should be willing to sit and discuss with us. There is no other option. I have to be loyal with the working class.