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Left and the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) leaders on Saturday, April 19, 2008 courted arrest while walking towards Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s office. CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat remarked that an explosive situation would emerge , if (food) prices are not controlled. Recently, the UNPA and Left had organized a week long nationwide protests against the soaring prices of food items.
CPM leader Sitaram Yechury remarked that if the Congress would not listen to their demands, they would strengthen their agitations which will further worsen the situation. Though unlike Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, the CPM leader did not threaten to pull out of the government. The UNPA includes the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Samajwadi Party, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).
CPI General secretary AB Bardhan, along with UNPA leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav, Chandrabau Naidu, Amar Singh and Om Prakash Chautala reiterated that, they would intensify their struggle against the government if nothing was done to curb inflation. The leaders also commanded the government to take affirmative action against hoarding and demanded strengthening of the Public Distribution system.
