Not financial sacrifice by govt, but return of taxpayers’ money: Oppn calls excise duty cut 'politically driven'

IANS | March 27, 2026 1:29 PM

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) The Congress on Friday said that the government’s revenue ultimately comes from the people’s pockets, asserting that any reduction in excise duty is not a financial sacrifice by the government but a return of taxpayers’ money. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP also questioned the intent behind the move, with some calling it politically-motivated.

Bengal polls: Basanti violence was result of Mamata Banerjee’s provocation, says BJP leader

IANS | March 27, 2026 12:59 PM

Kolkata, March 27 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday claimed that the violence and clashes at Basanti in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal in which a police sub-inspector of police was also thrashed by a group of miscreants allegedly linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress was a result of the provocative statements from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at an election campaign rally earlier in the day.