BJP pooh-poohs Congress’ austerity drive

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday pooh-poohed the austerity drive by the Congress, saying people would be better-off if the government focused its energy on bringing down the high prices of pulses and sugar.

BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy’s charge was that the Congress was trying to divert people’s attention away from high prices and poverty.

While the high prices had forced austerity on the common man, the Congress was indulging in “cheap gimmicks” with its leaders travelling by air in economy class or by chair-cars in trains.

Mr. Rudy said cost over-runs on 301 projects would cost the government Rs. 46,000 crore and in the power sector alone, delayed projects would cost the tax-payer over Rs. 23,000 crore.

Instead of focussing its attention on these and saving money, the ruling party leaders were indulging in tokenism by saving a few thousand rupees.

Asked whether Ministers in BJP-ruled States would follow the Congress example by taking salary cuts, he said: “Our governments are not hypocritical. They believe in delivering good governance.”

Mr. Rudy also questioned the austerity by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He said that since several seats next to her had to be kept vacant, her flight in the economy class to Mumbai would cost more than a business class ticket.