Mamata Responds to BJP Criticism Over Durga Puja Carnival Amid Floods and Landslides

PTI, Siliguri, October 7, 2025: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday hit back at the BJP's criticism of her attendance at the Durga Puja carnival in Kolkata, despite the ongoing floods and landslides in North Bengal. Responding to the sharp attacks from BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and MLA Sankar Ghosh, Mamata accused her rivals of "shamelessly politicising a natural calamity for narrow political gains."

Mamata defended the carnival, calling it a significant cultural event that represents the pride and unity of West Bengal. "The carnival is not a party function; it's an event that represents West Bengal's culture and unity. Foreign dignitaries and guests were present at the event," she stated. Addressing the ongoing criticisms, Mamata emphasized that the event had been planned long before the natural disasters struck and that rescue and relief operations could not have been effectively launched "in the middle of a deluge."

"If I had gone that day, what could I have done? The administration needs time to begin work after such a disaster. Some people have already started doing politics. Why shouldn’t the carnival happen in West Bengal? It’s our pride. The clubs wait for it all year, doesn’t that have any value?" she said during a press conference at Uttarkanya, the state secretariat in North Bengal.

The Chief Minister also rejected the allegations that her government was slow to respond to the floods and landslides in the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts. She emphasized that the administration had acted "immediately and efficiently," and pointed out that natural disasters were occurring across the country, with similar incidents happening in Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

"People are dying in natural disasters, yet some are saying bridges collapsed due to negligence. Bridges are collapsing everywhere. Even the Mahakumbh saw disasters. Did we ever politicize those?" Mamata asked, questioning the fairness of the criticism directed at her government.

Mamata's comments came after significant flooding and landslides in North Bengal claimed over 30 lives, with many others still missing. Rescue and relief operations continue as the region battles the aftermath of the disaster.