Prakash Karat criticises Centre for failing to curb inflation

PATNA - Ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat slammed the Central Government for its inability to tame the inflationary situation in the country.

“It is true that the responsibility for controlling inflation remains with the Central Government. The policies the government has undertaken over the years have only fuelled the inflationary situation in the country,” said Karat, while addressing media persons here on Wednesday.

“But the provincial government has also failed in ensuring effective implementation of the Public Distribution System. And the situation is very bad in Bihar,” he added asserting that both the Centre and Bihar Governments have been unable to curb inflation in Bihar.

During his visit here, Karat further said that land reforms remain to be one of the major problems in Bihar.

“Land reforms have emerged as the most important issue in Bihar. Wherever we have visited, we have found that the number of landless people has increased. This is a direct threat to an agrarian society like Bihar and the threat has further escalated as land reforms could not be implemented,” he added.

The six-phase poll for 243 seats in Bihar begins from October 21 and concludes on November 20.

The RJD will contest from 168 seats, while its alliance partner, LJP will field its candidates in 68 seats.

Candidates can withdraw their nomination papers till October 18.

Counting of votes will take place on November 24.

Bihar has over 5.5 crore voters, who will exercise their franchise through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). (ANI)