Soviets: Reagan's grain offer is a political tactic

The Soviet Union dismissed President Reagan's offer to boost grain sales to the USSR as a tactic to help Republican candidates in November congressional elections, the Tass news agency said.

It said Reagan was ''forced to admit'' the Carter administration's grain embargo had been a failure, but did not mention that Reagan offered to sell up to 23 million tons of grain to the Soviets during the current marketing year.

Many US farmers hailed the move as a step in the right direction but said the President's action in guaranteeing only delivery of grain ordered by Nov. 30 appeared politically motivated and did not go far in ensuring the US reputation as a reliable supplier.