After several BJP-ruled states followed the Centre’s hint and reduced local taxes on petrol and diesel, the party’s West Bengal unit is mounting pressure on chief minister Mamata Banerjee, demanding her to embark upon a similar road.
The state government of West Bengal has not reduced VAT even though the center has waived the duty. The BJP will will hit the streets on today against the Mamata Banerjee government’s refusal to reduce state taxes on petrol and diesel. The procession will start from the state BJP office. Moreover, the BJP has a protest program in the districts from November 9 to 12.
The countrymen are annoyed by the exorbitant prices of the fuel. Meanwhile, the Center has reduced the excise duty on petrol and diesel during the festive season. That is why the pressure is increasing in several opposition ruled states including West Bengal. The central government has released the list, saying 22 states and union territories have reduced their VAT after reducing central tariffs. However, 14 states and union territories have not yet walked that path. It includes 14 states including West Bengal, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Punjab. The BJP has used the Centre’s move as a tool. Opponents are also mocking the counter. The Congress, Shiv Sena alleges that the Center has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel under damage control after the defeat in the by-elections.
Experts say the Centre’s report is actually a strategy to increase pressure. Meanwhile, the BJP parliamentary party is planning to hold a demonstration with posters and placards in the Assembly premises next Monday on this issue. The protest will be held in front of the statue of BR Ambedkar, sources said.
This is the first time that the BJP is going to be vocal in the assembly about the increase in petrol and diesel prices. Opposition leader Shuvendu Adhikari said that he would be present there. A mourning motion is to be tabled in the assembly next Monday in memory of Subrata Mukherjee. As a result, the session is likely to be adjourned after that. Shuvendu Adhikari said MLAs from Kolkata and adjoining districts would be present at the mourning ceremony.
According to BJP parliamentary party sources, the party MLAs are expected to take part in the protest on the premises after the assembly is adjourned. And if not postponed, the MLAs of Padma Shibir will be all over the indifference of the state government regarding the increase in the price of petroleum products in the session room. For so long, the state has been blaming the Center for the rise in prices of petroleum products. But after the price reduction, there is another tone in the throat of the ruling party. The ruling party’s counter-argument is that the Gerua camp is trying to control the damage after the by-election defeat.
BJP’s all-India vice president Dilip Ghosh wrote on Facebook: “As a result of reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel by the central government, the price of petrol is less than 5 Rupees per liter and the price of diesel is less than Rupees 10 per liter. This time, it is the responsibility of the West Bengal government to reduce VAT in the interest of the common man.”