Kolkata, March 7 Accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of imposing higher taxes on fuel compared to several other states, BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty on Saturday said that she was trying to make an issue of the increase in cooking gas prices, despite being aware of the volatile situation in West Asia.
The price of domestic cooking gas was hiked on Saturday by a steep Rs 60 per cylinder, as oil companies factored in increased energy prices due to the conflict in West Asia.
Asked about the TMC supremo announcing protests by the TMC's women's wing due to the increase in cooking gas prices, the actor-politician accused her of trying to exploit the situation in the oil and gas-rich West Asia, which is causing problems for every country.
Maintaining that the prices of petrol and diesel may also rise due to the conflict involving the USA, Israel, Iran, and several other Gulf countries, he asked, "Why are petrol and diesel more expensive in West Bengal compared to other states?"
He questioned why the Mamata Banerjee government was not reducing the taxes it imposed on fuel, as other states have done.
Addressing a press conference at the state BJP office here, Chakraborty said that the main issue in the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal is the security of people, especially women.
Accusing Banerjee of advising women not to venture out at night instead of ensuring proper security and law and order, he promised a safe and secure environment for women if the BJP wins the assembly elections.
"The BJP will ensure the security of women when it comes to power in Bengal," he said, assuring, "everyone will be safe".
The actor-politician alleged that there is "no respite" in criminal activities in the state, with incidents taking place frequently.
"It is remarkable that West Bengal has significantly improved its law and order situation compared to previous times when women could freely move around even after midnight," he said.
Maintaining that over 400 km of porous border with Bangladesh in West Bengal is leading to unchecked infiltration from the neighbouring country, Chakraborty accused the TMC government in the state of not providing land for border fencing.
"Millions of people are travelling illegally, taking advantage of the unfenced border, who are voting for the TMC in Bengal and for the Jamaat-e-Islami on the other side," he said.
Maintaining that "a radical transformation" is taking place due to illegal immigration, the BJP leader said, "We would have felt secure if the border fencing could have been completed in the state."
