Foot-in-mouth Beni: ‘Inflation helps farmers’
Union steel minister Beni Prasad Verma has stirred another hornets’ nest, saying he is extremely happy with rising prices as it benefits farmers. He was caught on camera saying: “Mehngai se main bahut khush hoon kyonki isse kisan ka fayda hota hai.
Sabzi aur anaaj zyada keemat par bikega so paisa kisan ko milega (I am happy with rising prices as it benefits farmers. When vegetables and cereals are sold at a higher price, the beneficiary is the farmer).”
The minister’s statement comes when the government is facing considerable flak for its inability to control inflation, and many leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have expressed concern.
Mr Verma’s remarks drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, and the minister later blamed the media for “distorting” his statement.
Mr Verma’s belief that high prices benefit farmers also seems misplaced as it is hoarders and middlemen who are the real beneficiaries. His remarks are certain to infuriate the middle class, already seething over high prices.
UP BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai said Mr Verma’s remarks showed the “insensitivity of UPA ministers” and indicated it was their “arrogance that (allowed) inflation to rise”. He added: “The people will give a befitting reply in the next election.”
Speaking in Barabanki, Mr Verma also said the next Lok Sabha election will see a “direct fight” between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi. A day after saying Samajwadi chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was “dreaming” of becoming PM, Mr Verma said Monday parties like Samajwadi which didn’t have an all-India presence could not form a government at the Centre.
“The (Central) government will either be of the Congress or Modi... If Rahul Gandhi is our candidate, the 2014 election will be Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi. No other party in between,” he said.
Mr Verma also warmly praised Dr Singh as “frank” and said India would never get such a “gentle” person as Prime Minister. “If Rahul Gandhi becomes PM, he will do so with the blessings of Manmohan Singh,” he added.
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