P Chidambaram's remarks on middle class "insensitive": BJP

NEW DELHI: BJP today said Home Minister P Chidambaram's remarks on the middle class paying for mineral water and icecream but objecting to hike in rice and wheat prices shows the UPA government "is heartless and insensitive" and asked it to stop playing such "ugly jokes" on the people.

"The most articulate and suave minister of the UPA government, Mr Chidambaram is blaming the media for not understanding his statement. The whole country saw and heard what Chidambaram had said. It is a heartless and insensitive government," BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He alleged such a comment from the Home Minister is akin to rubbing salt on the wounds of the common man in whose name the Congress came to power.

"Mr Chidambaram, kindly tell the country what is the cost of a thali (platter) of a common man. You venture out in Delhi itself and you will know," Prasad said. He also sought to know if a mother taking her child to India Gate to have an icecream was a crime.

"Chidambaram is showering insult and humiliation on the common man," Prasad alleged, adding this government has "ruined the economy and the people are bearing the onslaught of its corruption and price rise."

BJP also sought to know why Congress President Sonia Gandhi is maintaining a "conspicous silence" when UPA ministers are making such "insensitive" comments.