SONIA 2 LST

Gandhi's statement has come close on the heels of the
AICC targeting Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for
the price rise.

Only a few days ago, All India Congress Committee (AICC)
General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi had asked the Indian
government to bring down the prices making it clear at the
same time that the party was running a coalition government.
Dwivedi's statement apparently implied that Congress was
putting the blame for the price rise at the door of Pawar, who
is head of the NCP, an ally of the Congress.
Asked at the AICC briefing whether Congress would like
to have the Agricultural ministry in its own quota of
ministers as the party President has shown concern over price
rise, party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said, "it was the
prerogative of the Prime Minister".
He said, "her (Gandhi's) concern is natural. The Central
government is taking steps. People forget that the state
governments have a role here and it has to act against the
hoarders".
Referring to only two cases of hoarding recorded in Bihar
so far, Ahmed said strict action was required on the part of
the state governments. PTI AMI