Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks blaming the Opposition States for high prices of petrol and diesel are misleading and one-sided, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday alleging that the Centre has adopted a “step-motherly” attitude towards the Opposition-ruled States.
Ms. Banerjee was reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks made earlier in the day that many States were not adhering to the Centre’s call for reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel though his government had slashed excise duties on them in November last year.
The Chief Minister said it would have been better for the Prime Minister “not to discuss the subject” at a meeting called on the COVID–19 situation. “Obviously, it was a one-sided agenda. The Opposition Chief Ministers were not able to speak. We listened to you carefully but we do not agree with your views. The Opposition States are treated with a step–motherly attitude.”
