West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government over rising fuel prices, and urged it to call an all-party meeting to find solutions to the ongoing economic problems.
“Either ten times in nine days or 13 times in 11 days — there has been rise in petroleum prices. The interest on provident fund has been reduced and everything is on sale... There is no certainty that the people will get their money deposited in bank,” the Chief Minister said.
Ms. Banerjee blamed the BJP for this crisis and described the rise in prices as a “return gift to the country after winning the Uttar Pradesh elections”.
“Instead of using agencies like the CBI and ED against opposition parties, the Centre must convene an all-party meeting to resolve the ongoing economic problems,” Ms. Banerjee said.
The Trinamool Congress chairperson while referring to the situation in Sri Lanka, alleged that the economy in India is in a far worse state. “ I don’t want to compare India with Sri Lanka.. but there is no planning,” she said, adding that she feels that the Centre should consult all political parties on how to deal with the economic crisis.
Birbhum relief
Speaking to journalists at the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister said her government had provided government jobs to 10 people affected by the recent violence in Birbhum district. .
“I have kept my words,” she said, referring to her promise made during her visit to Bogtui village in Birbhum on March 24 when she met families affected by the violence. The murder of a Trinamool Congress leader near the village had resulted in retaliatory violence on March 21 in which nine persons, including seven women and a child, were burnt to death. The Chief Minister has accused the BJP and other Opposition parties of playing politics over the dead.
Varsity violence
Asked about the developments at Kolkata’s Aliah University, where a former student leader, associated with the TMC, was caught on camera abusing and threatening Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Ali, the Chief Minister said the accused had been arrested. Ms. Banerjee added that students can have differences with the administration on issues.
The Chief Minister also went on the offensive asking journalists why they were bent on maligning the image of West Bengal. “Why is the Vice-Chancellor of Visva Bharati not been arrested,” Ms Banerjee countered, referring to protests by students and resentment among a section of teachers over the past few years over the functioning of the central university at Santiniketan, which was founded by Rabindranath Tagore.
