Centre's policies come under fire at CWC meet

Congress leaders attacked the economic policies of their own UPA government at the Centre contending that frequent hikes in petrol prices and the decision to cap subsidies on cooking gas cylinders would cost the party dearly in the elections.

A number of leaders made strong demand for a review of the economic policies of the government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. They were of the view that the economic policies were responsible for the Congress defeat in four states which went to polls in November-December.

“There was a clear message from the leaders – mend your ways,” a CWC member said on the condition of anonymity. He said the Prime Minister, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily sat with “sullen faces” through out the meeting. None of the three leaders spoke.

AICC general secretaries Madhusudan Mistry and Mukul Wasnik, Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala demanded that the number of subsidized LPG cylinders available per connection should be raised to 12 from the existing nine.

Chennithala is learnt to have opposed the decision of FDI in multi-brand retail and also the move to link LPG subsidies with the Aadhar number.

“We need liberalisation with a human face. The economic policies of the Central government need a review,” was the refrain of the Congress leaders.