If BJP wins polls, it may hike gas cylinder price to Rs 1500-2,000: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the BJP might increase the cost of cooking gas cylinders to as much as Rs 2,000 if it returned to power at the Centre.

"If the BJP wins the elections, they may hike prices of the cooking gas cylinder to Rs 1,500 or Rs 2,000. Then again, we will have to go back to the old practice of collecting wood to light a fire," Banerjee said during a public event in Jhargram district, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Additionally, Banerjee issued a challenge to the current BJP-led



central government regarding the completion of housing projects under the Awas Yojana.

She demanded that these projects be finalised by the end of April, warning that failure to do so would lead her state government to take over the construction efforts starting May.

Notably, Banerjee didn't comment on the recent arrest of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his subsequent suspension from the party for six years. Sheikh was arrested in connection with the January 5 attack on the Enforcement Directorate officials in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali.