"We, the Left parties ask the Centre not to decontrol prices of petroleum products and lift subsidy on foodgrains to let the poor survive," Bhattacharjee told a rally where Front partners were on a dharna against the government's 'failure' to check the price rise.
Stating that for last eight months, the UPA government failed to control the price rise of essential commodities, the former chief minister said, "We know that none other than the Prime minister and the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission M S Ahluwalia are responsible for pursuing the new economic policy which has spelt disaster for the country.
"It can afford to give subsidy of Rs five lakh crore to industrialists," Bhattacharjee said and suggested that the Centre supply 14 essential commodities at subsidised rate through ration shops to mitigate the sufferings of the poor.
Bhattacharya did not spare the Mamata Banerjee government charging it with raising prices of milk and electricity.
"It is not enough to take out protest rallies against the Centre. The party in power in our state is also a partner of the ruling UPA at the Centre. They cannot deny their responsibility," he said.
Calling for spreading the Left movement, Bhattacharya said "it is a question of ideological fight against the Centre."
