25-Second Puja Video of Mamata Sparks Row Amid Rain Tragedy

25 September-Kolkata, India: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee celebrated Dandiya at a puja pandal inauguration ceremony in Kolkata. A 25-minute video clip shared on social media showed the West Bengal CM celebrating Dandiya at South Kolkata’s Chakraberia, after which TMC’s main political rival, the BJP, heavily slammed and criticised the West Bengal CM, a day after 10 people died in the overnight rain.

The BJP government has sharply criticised her decision to join the celebration despite looking after the families of the ill-fated victims who died in the overnight rain, mainly by electrocution.

BJP criticism towards the CM

Amit Malviya, a BJP member posted a message on X(formerly Twitter) where he said “Not even 24 hours since Kolkata was drowning and 11 people were electrocuted to death, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee found it appropriate to indulge in revelry and play dandiya during a Durga Puja inauguration in Bhawanipur’s Chakraberia. How insensitive can one be? Mamata Banerjee is the very epitome of it.”

Another BJP member posted where it stated that “Barely 24 hours have passed since 10 Bengalis lost their lives due to electrocution, a tragedy that happened because of the complete failure of Mamata Banerjee and her government. And yet, look at her, instead of mourning with the people of Bengal, she is out playing dandiya.”

The post further added that “She is not even pretending to care anymore. Her actions show that she has become a dictator who believes she is above accountability and that her PR will manage everything and the remaining few journalists on her payroll will cover up for her!!”

TMC replies back to the criticism

After various cricitisms, the Trinamool Congress Party(TMC) replied back to the harsh criticisms. Kunal Ghosh, a senior leader of the TMC said “This is the first time that Kolkata has had cloudburst rain. Which was in a record amount, which is 20 per cent of the entire year’s rainfall. With the Chief Minister’s efforts, the Municipal Corporation, Police, Emergency Department has brought the metropolitan back to normal.“

Kunal Ghosh further added that “The situation has returned to normal in most places. Then, why is the opposition criticising the Chief Minister? What happens to their Delhi, Mumbai, and Surat when waterlogging occurs? If there is such terrible rain, the opposition will play cheap politics here too. First, look at your own states.”

West Bengal CM on the rainfall issue

Meanwhile Mamata Banerjee also highlighted on the rain issue and gave a statement which stated that “How many people have faced disasters in Delhi and Mumbai? Such rain has never happened in Kolkata before. This is more than in 1978, the highest record. It was high tide till yesterday. We were able to clean all the water within seven hours.” She also gave an idea that her government worked better on the waterlogging issues than the previous Left Front government, which ruled West Bengal for 11 years.

With just a few days left to celebrate the state’s grand festival, the West Bengal CM has been attending various inauguration ceremonies, where she inaugurated at least 30 puja pandals.

She also inaugurated the Chakraberia district Bhawanipore puja pandal, which is located just around the CM’s south Kolkata constituency. She gained this place after losing Nandigram in the 2021 elections to her friend-turned rival, BJP member Suvendu Adhikari.