Kolkata: Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on Friday took a swipe at the Narendra Modi govt ahead of the prime minister’s visit, accusing the Centre of forcing people to stand in queues due to its policies.“The only thing the Narendra Modi govt did successfully was forcing people out on the streets and stand in queues. This happened during demonetisation, during SIR and now even for LPG booking,” Ghosh said. “Hollow promises will be made, but these are of no relevance to people in Bengal who are battling another crisis – this time for cooking gas,” he added.Addressing reporters at Trinamool Bhawan, Ghosh said the ongoing LPG shortage was the result of the Centre’s policy failures. “This spiralling crisis due to cooking gas shortage is only due to the lapses, faulty policies and negligence of the Modi govt. The Centre lacked foresight and put people in peril. The hasty and obstinate decisions taken by the Centre right from demonetisation, to SIR and now this LPG crisis forced people repeatedly out on the streets,” he said.“It is not only about a constant anxiety of what happens if we run out of gas, how to cook; this crisis is impacting employment too. This is impacting people’s earnings, hitting revenues of hotels and restaurants and also impacting the auto sector. People are being forced to shell out more. The temple bhogs, which are now being discontinued, are not always about religion; the most vulnerable sections of society are fed there,” Ghosh sid.“But then we will, like in the past, be fed by false assurances and hollow promises. The PM will come empty-handed. He will have none of the 1.9 lakh crore dues which are pending for Bengal. He will also not have a word on the 100-day work, housing and Jal Jeevan schemes for Bengal,” he said.Asked about the Dakshineswar-style podium from which the PM will address the rally at Brigade Parade Grounds, Ghosh said: “BJP talks of Poriborton rallies; this is the real poriborton (change). In 2021, it was Jai Shri Ram for them. In 2026, it is Ma Kali and Ma Durga. And by the end of the elections, rest assured, they will be chanting our Joy Bangla slogans too.”
