CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Annamalai reminded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party that they had promised subsidy for gas cylinders in their manifesto. However, it has been 29 months since the DMK came to power but they have not fulfilled their promise.
In a reaction to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee accusing the BJP of playing politics over gas prices ahead of elections, Annamalai said, “I find it very shameful. When DMK came to power in their manifesto they promised a subsidy for gas cylinders. Now, it is 29 months since DMK has come to power, they have promised subsidies on petrol and diesel and nothing they have given.”
Explaining the benefits that will be accrued by the common households for this decision to slash gas prices, the state BJP president said, “Now, Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji is giving subsidies to the Ujjwala beneficiaries, 9.6 crore households straightaway Rs 200 for the last many months. Now, after the historic decision yesterday, PM Modi is giving a subsidy of Rs 200 to all common households, more than 33 crore households starting from today. Then the Ujjwala beneficiaries will get 200 added, therewith they will get 400 rupees starting from today.”
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for keeping gas prices stable amid global surge in gas prices, Annamalai said, “We have to understand that all over the world when the gas prices have gone up to over 250 per cent, India is one country, thanks to our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, we have almost kept the gas prices stable.”
“Now when the Honourable Prime Minister felt on the day of Raksha Bandhan that our mothers and sisters need to be given this benefit to reduce any pressure they face in the household, he has brought this…,” the BJP leader said.
Accusing Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin of not giving subsidies on gas prices themselves, the BJP state president said, “Instead of Mamata Banerjee, instead of MK Stalinji accusing our government of playing politics over gas prices, let them reduce gas prices by another Rs 200 by themselves. They don’t do that. If Mamata Banerjee is reducing the gas price by some amount, if MK Stalin is reducing the gas price by some amount they have a logic to speak.”
With an eye on Lok Sabha polls that are slated to be held next year, the Centre announced to reduction in the prices of cooking gas by Rs 200 per cylinder. PM Modi’s government called it a gift to the “sisters” of the country so as to make the lives of the women in the country comfortable while on the contrary, the Opposition was quick to claim it as a ‘political gimmick’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the reduction in prices of cooking gas cylinders will make the lives of women easier.
Taking to X (former Twitter), PM Modi said, “The festival of Raksha Bandhan is a day to increase happiness in a family. The reduction in gas prices will increase the comfort of the sisters in my family and make their lives easier. May every sister of mine be happy, be healthy, be happy, this is my wish from God.” (ANI)