Smoke signals

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may have put up electricity and bus tariffs and milk prices in her state but, strangely, has not raised taxes on cigarettes in the recent Budget, despite a gaping deficit in state finances. Asked why, her answer had everyone stumped. “Keno, apnara cigarette khaben na?” (Why, don’t all of you smoke?), she told assembled journalists with a doting smile. Maybe, her inexplicable opposition to raising train fares have a similar intent. Incidentally, State Finance Minister Amit Mitra, who presented the Budget, was hardly heard during the entire press conference, but was mostly seen enjoying Didi’s candid jokes.