Odisha food supplies and consumer welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Saturday alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government is playing politics over the supply of potatoes and that the state government would not request Bengal to restore supply of the tuber.

Potato-laden trucks have not been allowed to cross the border since Wednesday night because of restrictions imposed by the Bengal government. Many of the vehicles have also returned to their origin points, officials said.

Speaking to the press about the potato crisis, Patra said: “The Bengal government is playing politics, for which, they restricted supply of potato to Odisha while sometimes they allow it. But, this time, we are not going to request them to supply potatoes to Odisha.”

However, if Bengal sends potatoes on its own, Odisha will accept it, he said.

Patra said: “We are not going to have any talks with Mamata Banerjee government for potatoes. She has stated in the media that her government will not send potatoes to Odisha so there is no point in talking to her.”

It is not proper to restrict the supply of vegetables or goods to any state because all states are under one country and everyone should live together, he said.

“We have made arrangements for the supply of adequate potatoes to consumers in the state. Potatoes have started arriving in the state from Uttar Pradesh. Besides, the tuber can also be brought from Punjab,” the minister said.