Does Mamata Banerjee Care About Death and Destruction?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Severe weather has caused significant loss of life in North Bengal.
- Political leaders' responses to crises can be controversial.
- Mamata Banerjee attended a celebration during a time of tragedy.
- Public sentiment is divided regarding leadership priorities during emergencies.
- Ongoing rescue operations may reveal a higher death toll.
Kolkata, Oct 6 (NationPress) As North Bengal suffers from severe rainfall and landslides resulting in the loss of at least 23 lives, Amit Malviya, the Chief of BJP's IT cell and the party's central observer for West Bengal, has launched a pointed critique against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He claims that “death and destruction mean nothing” to her.
Malviya's comments were directed at the extravagant Durga Puja carnival organized by the state government, which took place in Kolkata on Sunday evening, where the Chief Minister was present. A widely circulated video shows her enjoying the festivities alongside Bengali film stars.
“This must be noted. While 28 people perished and countless others faced peril from Dooars to Darjeeling, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was dancing in Kolkata at a tax-funded celebration, blissfully ignoring the state’s grief,” Malviya stated in a social media update on Monday morning.
Although he mentioned a death toll of 28, the official reports from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the local administrations in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri confirmed the fatalities to be 23 as of Monday morning.
However, officials believe that the actual number may be higher as rescue operations are ongoing.
Malviya referenced a previous incident where 12 individuals lost their lives in Kolkata due to electrocution caused by live wires submerged in rainwater, highlighting the Chief Minister's indifference as she attended various Durga Puja pandal inaugurations during that period.
“Her reaction was the same when 12 people were electrocuted during Durga Puja this year. She continued inaugurating pandals as if nothing had occurred. For Mamata Banerjee, death and destruction mean nothing,” Malviya remarked.
To support his argument, Malviya quoted a well-known Bengali proverb: Karo poush mash, karo sarbanash (while some celebrate, others mourn), asserting that this reflects Mamata Banerjee’s true motto.