The Left Front government on Wednesday admitted that its preoccupation with holding the elections, carrying relief works in the aftermath of Cyclone Aila and the operations in Lalgarh led the hoarders to take the advantage of the situation as administration did not act tough against them.

“The police were busy with Lalgarh operation, Aila and election works. You will see the effect of police action by Saturday,” said state Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta.

Dasgupta, who held a high-level meeting on the price rise situation, said the police have been asked to take action against hoarders, especially of potato, rice and sugar.

The meeting was attended by Food and Supplies Minister Paresh Adhikary, Relief Minister Murtaza Hussain, Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborti, Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen and officials from the enforcement branch.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had earlier met officials of several departments and discussed with them the necessary steps required for controlling the prices of essential commodities.

Sources said that a section of officials told Bhattacharjee that carrying out raids of cold storages and rice mills are impossible for political reasons.

With the officials fearing resistance against such drives, Bhattacharjee had asked Dasgupta to chair a meeting of the ministers. “Raids will take place against hoarding. No objection will be entertained,” said Dasgupta after the meeting.

The Opposition, meanwhile, blamed the Left Front government for lawlessness in the state. “The elections were over 45 days ago. What they were doing for past one and a half months? It is an inactive government,” said Partha Chatterjee, Leader of Opposition and Trinamool Congress legislator.