Date:11/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/11/stories/2008011156990300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

P.C. Chacko inaugurates Collectorate march

Staff Reporter

Says VS’ statement on capitalism to mislead the public

Flays government handling of the issue of price rise
Congress activists try to barge into the Collectorate

ALAPPUZHA: Former Minister P.C. Chacko has alleged that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has “fallen” to a stage where the miseries of the common man no more matter to it.

Inaugurating a Collectorate march organised by the DCC protesting the rise in prices of essential commodities here on Thursday, Mr. Chacko said the continuing price rise was because of the “inefficient” manner in which the State government was handling affairs.

Mr. Chacko also alleged that Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s statements on capitalism were aimed at misleading the public, particularly when Jyoti Basu and Prakash Karat had indicated their “leanings” towards capital investments. If Mr. Achuthanandan believed that development was possible without capital investment, he should then explain to the public how such development could take place, he added.

Earlier, there were a few moments of tension when Congress activists tried to barge into the Collectorate and were prevented by the police. With the police showing restraint and a few senior Congress leaders reining in the activists, an imminent lathi charge was avoided.