“Vote on prices, not religion”: Abhishek Banerjee alleges post-poll price hike by Centre

Amid the intensifying election campaign in West Bengal, Abhishek Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, alleging that cooking gas prices could rise to ₹2000 once the elections conclude. Addressing a large rally in Binpur, he accused the Centre of deliberately holding prices steady during the election period and warned of a steep increase immediately after.

Speaking at a public gathering in Jhargram, Banerjee claimed that the government under Narendra Modi is masking inflation temporarily for electoral gains. Referring to global developments, particularly tensions in the Middle East, he alleged that such factors would later be cited to justify hikes in petrol, diesel, and LPG prices, ultimately placing a financial burden on common households.

He urged voters to make their electoral choices based on economic issues rather than religious narratives, emphasizing “work and prices” as the key criteria. Comparing welfare initiatives of the state government, such as direct financial assistance schemes, with what he termed the Centre’s “inflation-driven policies,” Banerjee argued that while the state is supporting households, rising fuel and gas prices negate those benefits.

Campaigning for Trinamool Congress candidate Birbaha Hansda, he appealed to local sentiments by portraying her as a grassroots representative. At the same time, he criticized the BJP candidate as an outsider, claiming a lack of connection with the region and its people. He further alleged that even within the BJP, there is dissatisfaction over the candidate selection.

Concluding his address, Banerjee accused BJP leaders of being “seasonal visitors” who appear during elections and disappear afterward. He asserted that Trinamool Congress workers remain with the people during crises, framing the electoral battle as one between household economic concerns and central government policies.