Kolkata, Jan 31 (NationPress) In a rebuttal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks regarding the tragic demise of 25 individuals in the Anandapur warehouse fire, Abhishek Banerjee, the All-India General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress, asserted on Saturday that the central government must also assume responsibility for the deaths of 140 people in West Bengal attributed to the fear surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Earlier today, Shah criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the fatalities in Anandapur, alleging that the state administration was attempting to protect those responsible.

In reaction, Abhishek Banerjee remarked, "If the state government is accountable for 25 deaths, then should not the central government also be held accountable for the 140 deaths related to the SIR process? The BJP is engaging in opportunistic politics over the bodies of the deceased. This is truly unfortunate."

Speaking to reporters outside the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Abhishek emphasized that the police acted swiftly by arresting the factory owner following the incident. "BJP leaders are now frequently visiting Bengal due to the impending elections. The public will respond accordingly. Nirav Modi also traveled abroad with the Prime Minister. It is common for industrialists to accompany the Chief Minister on international trips. However, exploiting a tragic event for political gain is a long-standing tactic of the BJP," he stated.

He further explained that it is beyond the government's capacity to oversee the activities within a private factory's warehouse. He confirmed that once the news broke, the government and local administration acted promptly, making necessary arrests. "We demand that if anyone else is implicated, regardless of their status as an industrialist, our government will not tolerate their actions. Yet, Nirav Modi, who is accused of defrauding India and fleeing with a loan of 20,000 crore rupees, traveled abroad with Narendra Modi," he added.

Abhishek reiterated that if the BJP insists on blaming Mamata Banerjee for the Anandapur incident, they must also take accountability for the deaths of over a hundred individuals during the SIR operation.

In the meantime, the Trinamool Congress leader launched a fierce critique of the central government and the BJP, questioning the absence of names of infiltrators in the draft voter list.

In a media briefing, Abhishek Banerjee noted that the BJP previously claimed that between 1 to 1.5 crore Rohingya and other infiltrators would be removed from the state's voter list. "However, the draft list issued by the Election Commission contradicts that assertion. If such a significant number of infiltrators exist, why are they not listed in the draft voter list? The central government and the Election Commission are intentionally fostering a climate of fear and damaging Bengal's reputation," he said.

He also accused the central government of financial bias, demanding clarity on the funds allocated to West Bengal over the past decade or so. He urged the central government to provide a 'report card' detailing the financial investments made in rural infrastructure, housing projects, and other initiatives in recent years.