BJP questioned on CAA, inflation The residents also asked state BJP leader about rise in the prices of LPG

TT, 5.02.20, Alipurduar: Senior BJP leaders on a door-to-door campaign in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act here on Tuesday faced unpleasant questions from common people about the need for the law and the Centre’s decision to disinvest the Life Insurance Corporation of India.

The residents also asked state BJP leader Raju Banerjee and some district functionaries of the party about rise in the prices of LPG and essential commodities.

The BJP team reached Purba Shantinagar, a locality in ward 20 of the town, on Tuesday morning.

Biswajit Saha, a trader, confronted Banerjee and told him: “I have a driving licence, Aadhaar, and voter identity and PAN cards, besides an Indian passport. Are these documents not sufficient to prove that I am an Indian? Why do we need the CAA or an NRC-like exercise?”

The BJP leader dodged a direct reply but said there was no need for worry as none would have to prove citizenship. “No one should feel worried as the CAA will not deny anyone citizenship. It would instead give citizenship,” said Banerjee.

The BJP leaders moved on and then met Ranjan Roy, an LIC agent.

“Why has the Centre taken such a decision (LIC disinvestment)? This has left my clients worried. Even I am worried that whether I would be able to continue to earn by working as an LIC agent,” he said.

Banerjee came up with a brief reply.

“I have nothing to say on the budget. I am here to apprise you of the CAA,” he said and walked ahead.

The LIC divestment had been announced in the Union budget presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday.

Banerjee talked to some women who listened to him but mentioned the rise in prices of essential commodities, including LPG cylinders.

“When the Left Front was in power, Mamata Banerjee used to criticise infiltration from Bangladesh. But now, she speaks completely opposite. Her government is not keen on development and has failed to provide basic services,” Banerjee later told journalists.

“During my visit, I have seen how unclean Alipurduar town is. Also, the roads are in bad condition and no proper drinking water is available in the town. The civic body here is run by an administrative official and it seems no effort is being taken to keep the town clean,” he added.

The BJP had secured lead in all 20 wards of the town in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. “We are banking on Alipurduar as the civic elections are ahead,” said a BJP leader.

Dipta Chatterjee, president of Trinamul’s Alipurduar town block committee, said: “People of the town are well aware of the BJP and its policies. The Parliament and civic elections are different and we will prove it.”