Jha draws flak for ‘tomato comment’; AAP calls it ‘insensitive’, seeks apology
31 July 2014 5:46 AM IST
BJP’s national vice-president and Rajya Sabha MP Prabhat Jha’s comment on soaring price of tomatoes created a new buzz in political circles of Delhi. Jha had reportedly said only the rich persons eat tomatoes.
Political parties criticised Jha’s remarks as ‘insensitive’. ‘Jha’s remarks are in striking similarity to the insensitive language used by Congress leaders when their UPA government was in power and indicate how cut off from reality these leaders are’, said Aam Admi Party (AAP) in its statement.
The Congress has demanded an unconditional apology from Jha for his statement. His comments have not only insulted the people but it is like rubbing salt into the wounds by the BJP leader. He should tender an unconditional apology immediately,’ the party said in a statement.
A senior party leader said, ‘The BJP is sensing the anger of the voters. They have done nothing to control price rise. This is the reason behind the contradictory statements of BJP MLAs on question of government formation or assembly election in the city’, the party leaders added.
While defending the soaring prices of tomato, consumer affairs secretary Keshav Desiraju said that it’s a seasonal crisis as tomato has very short shelf life.
‘We are keeping a close watch on tomato prices and also monitoring the movement (of prices),’ Desiraju added.
The prices of onions, potatoes and tomatoes have hiked two folds in the last few days. In last couple of days, the prices of onions have gone up from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 35-40 per kg, while potato prices has gone up to Rs 25-30 per kg in retail market. The vendors have blamed delayed monsoon for this.
Political parties criticised Jha’s remarks as ‘insensitive’. ‘Jha’s remarks are in striking similarity to the insensitive language used by Congress leaders when their UPA government was in power and indicate how cut off from reality these leaders are’, said Aam Admi Party (AAP) in its statement.
The Congress has demanded an unconditional apology from Jha for his statement. His comments have not only insulted the people but it is like rubbing salt into the wounds by the BJP leader. He should tender an unconditional apology immediately,’ the party said in a statement.
A senior party leader said, ‘The BJP is sensing the anger of the voters. They have done nothing to control price rise. This is the reason behind the contradictory statements of BJP MLAs on question of government formation or assembly election in the city’, the party leaders added.
While defending the soaring prices of tomato, consumer affairs secretary Keshav Desiraju said that it’s a seasonal crisis as tomato has very short shelf life.
‘We are keeping a close watch on tomato prices and also monitoring the movement (of prices),’ Desiraju added.
The prices of onions, potatoes and tomatoes have hiked two folds in the last few days. In last couple of days, the prices of onions have gone up from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 35-40 per kg, while potato prices has gone up to Rs 25-30 per kg in retail market. The vendors have blamed delayed monsoon for this.
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