In Kolkata, on March 27, Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee stated that there is a strong possibility that the BJP-led central government will increase the prices of cooking gas and transport fuel after the assembly elections on April 29.
Addressing an election campaign for the TMC candidate in the Binpur assembly constituency in Jhargram district, Banerjee also accused the Narendra Modi government of not taking necessary steps to address the worsening fuel crisis in West Bengal.
Banerjee challenged Modi and his ministers to make a promise during their election rallies that the prices of LPG, petrol, and diesel would not increase over the next five years.
"Rest assured, they (BJP) will not make such a pledge. Instead, once the election phase is over, I assure you that on April 30, they will likely set the price of domestic LPG at Rs 2,000 and petrol and diesel at Rs 200 per liter," the Diamond Harbour MP said.
Banerjee, the de facto number two in the TMC, said that in the 12 years since 2014, the BJP had increased the price of LPG from Rs 400 per cylinder to Rs 1,000.
"The BJP is not concerned about the welfare of ordinary people. The Modi government only knows how to deceive people with false promises," he claimed.
Banerjee accused the Modi government of taking anti-people measures that caused undue hardship to millions of citizens. He said that the BJP forced people to stand in long queues before LPG agencies, banks during demonetization, and SIR camps.
He also alleged that the BJP government has been withholding Rs 1 lakh crore for West Bengal for political reasons. Despite this, the TMC administration managed to run the housing, piped drinking water, and 100-day work projects using its own resources.
"Once we return to power, the target of supplying piped drinking water to every household will be achieved. An old-age pension will be provided to every elderly citizen within six months. Unlike the BJP, we always deliver on our promises," he said.
Banerjee strongly criticized the BJP for allegedly spreading rumors that the Mamata Banerjee government will discontinue the women's financial assistance scheme 'Lakshmir Bhandar' if the TMC returns to power for a fourth term.
"In 2021, our CM had promised about Lakshmir Bhandar, and the project has been expanded to include every woman in a household and increase the amount. By the first or second week of every month, the money will be deposited in the bank accounts of all eligible women," he said.
Beneficiaries of other schemes are also receiving the money regularly, the MP said.
"We will continue with these schemes and not withdraw, unlike the BJP governments, which often break their promises once they lose votes," he claimed.
Banerjee accused the BJP of treating opposition leaders with disrespect.
"During a demonstration in Delhi against the Centre demanding state dues, our MPs, MLAs and ministers were forcibly removed and pushed into vehicles by the Delhi police. Women and representatives from backward castes and tribal leaders were also targeted. The BJP should not talk about democracy," Banerjee said.
He also claimed that during the TMC's demonstration in Delhi, the women harassed by the police included the candidate, Birbaha Hansda, and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen.
Banerjee said that more than 10 schools have been established across this constituency, where Ol Chiki (the Santhali language) and Bengali have been introduced as the medium of instruction.
"What was the situation in regions like Binpur, Jamboni, Manbazar, and Sarenga before 2011? There was no law and order, and people were afraid to step out. There was no educational infrastructure or welfare in Jangalemahal. It is our government that has restored peace and brought prosperity here," he said.
Binpur is part of the tribal-majority Jangalmahal region, the forested areas of Purulia, Bankura, and Jhargram districts in the southern part of West Bengal.
"And now, BJP leaders come here as daily passengers from Jhargram, Purulia, or Paschim Medinipur. But where were they before 2011? Back then, only Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool," he said.
The TMC came to power in West Bengal in 2011, defeating the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which had ruled the state for 34 years.
Banerjee alleged that the BJP is creating division between Hindus and Muslims, and Adivasis and Kurmis. He also pointed out that the son of Ajit Mahato, leader of the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj, is now the BJP-supported candidate from Purulia's Joypur.
"They want to take away your rights, while TMC wants to give you your rights," he said.
At another meeting in Kolaghat in Purba Medinipur, he said that BJP leaders have been speaking against 'Lakshmir Bhandar'; while some of them have promised to increase the monthly allowance to Rs 3000 if they come to power.
"The BJP is in power in around 15 states, including Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Mamata Banerjee provides Lakshmir Bhandar to 2.4 crore women without conditions. Can the BJP implement this in states where they are in power? If they can do it in even one state, I will not ask for votes for the TMC," he added.
In another meeting at Kulpi, Banerjee claimed that inflation is skyrocketing and GST is imposed on everyday products.