“Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is behaving like an officer on deputation. He has been a total failure on domestic as well as foreign fronts. He has got only a few days left in office and at least he should now stand up to protect the country’s honour and dignity,” said party vice- president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in New Delhi on Sunday.

“The American President is trying to assume the role of a ‘bread inspector’ from his earlier role of world’s ‘bomb inspector’ by making such irresponsible statements. America has no right to speak about what India eats. India will not accept such interference. The Government should take serious note of US President’s statement and give a strong reply,” he said.

Former party president M M Joshi had a different take in Chennai: “Instead of agriculture, they (the USA) have gone for agri-business. America’s diversion of corn to produce ethanol and trading practices have resulted in acute food shortage,” he said, adding that the major objective of the western food policy was to keep a large number of countries dependent on them.

“Our Prime Minister has already entered into an agreement with the US on agricultural sector and it’s unfortunate that the Centre has not come out openly to discuss the agreement,” he added.