Vajpayee, Advani court arrests in protest against inflation
AFP, New Delhi
India's former premier Atal Behari Vajpayee and deputy premier Lal Krishna Advani along with other opposition leaders and supporters were detained briefly Wednesday after staging a protest against high prices. They were held for a short while in a downtown stadium after marching near Parliament House where tight security was in effect. The BJP staged the rally after walking out on the first day of the winter session of parliament in protest at high inflation. "This government has no economic policy and is unable to take any decision. It does not know what shape is to be given to the country's future," Vajpayee told a rally. The wholesale price index, India's most closely watched inflation monitor, is at over seven percent, up from just 4.32 percent in late April. While it is down from an August peak of 8.74 percent, analysts warn inflation is not yet under control. The price increase has been driven by high global oil prices and a patchy monsoon in the agriculture-dependent country.
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Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee (L) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President L.K. Advani wave to a crowd of party supporters at a rally in New Delhi yesterday just while before detained for a short period. PHOTO: AFP |
