During a public event in Jhargram district, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced concerns on Thursday, suggesting that if the BJP were to reclaim power at the Centre, there could be a substantial hike in the prices of cooking gas cylinders, possibly soaring up to Rs 2,000.
Expressing her apprehensions, Banerjee warned that if the BJP were to win the elections, the cost of cooking gas cylinders might surge to as high as Rs 1,500 or even Rs 2,000. She expressed concerns that such a drastic increase could potentially compel people to resort to traditional methods, such as collecting wood for cooking fuel.
The Chief Minister also issued a challenge to the current BJP-led central government regarding the timely completion of housing projects under the Awas Yojana. Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, she demanded that these projects be concluded by the end of April. Banerjee cautioned that failure to meet this deadline would prompt her state government to intervene and take over the construction efforts starting in May.
It is noteworthy that Banerjee refrained from commenting on the recent arrest of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his subsequent suspension from the party for six years. Sheikh's arrest stemmed from his alleged involvement in the January 5 attack on Enforcement Directorate officials in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali area.
