image sourced from original article at A political confrontation has intensified in West Bengal as the Trinamool Congress accused the central government of failing to prepare for a fuel supply crisis linked to escalating conflict in West Asia. State finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the warning signs were clear for months, noting the heavy dependence on imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz. She alleged that no strategic reserves or alternative supply routes were arranged, leaving households vulnerable to shortages and rising prices.
The Bharatiya Janata Party rejected the claims, calling the shortage an 'artificial crisis' and accusing the state government of mismanagement and coercion of distributors. Party leaders argued that the state administration's response lacked logic and could encourage black market sales. They expressed hope that the situation would stabilize soon.
The dispute has deepened after the central government extended the cooking gas booking cycle and increased prices by 60 rupees per cylinder, pushing costs above 1,000 rupees in many cases. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to lead a protest march against the price rise, as the Trinamool Congress maintains that the issue is affecting every household and demands immediate corrective action.
