NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “politicising” the recent floods and landslides in North Bengal, calling his remarks a political low.She said the crisis was not a time for partisan chest-thumping and urged all parties to prioritise relief and recovery efforts over political disputes.In a post on X, she wrote: “Yes, we all condemn violence, unequivocally. But this is not the time for partisan chest-thumping. This is a time to help and heal.” She called PM Modi’s remarks “unfortunate and deeply concerning” and reminded him that he is the Prime Minister of India, not just of the BJP. His responsibility lies in nation-building, not narrative-building.Banerjee further accused the prime minister of blaming the TMC and the West Bengal government without verified evidence or proper investigation.She wrote: “It is unfortunate and deeply concerning that the Prime Minister of India has chosen to politicise a natural disaster without waiting for a proper investigation, especially while people in North Bengal are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods and landslides.”This comes after BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh and Malda North MP Khagen Murmu were allegedly attacked while distributing relief materials in Nagrakata, North Bengal. PM Modi’s remarks came in response to the incident, criticising the TMC and the West Bengal government for the law and order situation in the state.Earlier in a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “The manner in which our Party colleagues, including a sitting MP and MLA, were attacked in West Bengal for serving the people affected by floods and landslides is outright appalling. It highlights the insensitivity of the TMC as well as the absolutely pathetic law and order situation in the state.”He added, “I wish the West Bengal Government and TMC were more focussed on helping people rather than indulging in violence in such a challenging situation. I call upon BJP Karyakartas to continue working among the people and assist the ongoing rescue operations.”Also Read | ‘Outright appalling’: PM Modi on BJP leaders being attacked in West Bengal; targets TMCBanerjee highlighted that while the state administration and police were fully engaged in relief and rescue operations, BJP leaders visited the affected areas with a large convoy of cars and central security forces without informing local authorities.She questioned, “How can the state administration, local police, or the TMC be blamed for the incident?”She slammed the recent visit of PM Modi to Manipur in September, observing that he visited the ethnic violence-hit state 964 days after the crisis. The West Bengal CM accused him of engaging in “opportunistic political theatre” and criticised him for making sweeping claims without verified evidence.She added, “The PM has blamed the TMC and the West Bengal Government outright without a shred of verified evidence, legal inquiry, or administrative report. This is not just a political low, it is a breach of the constitutional ethos the Prime Minister has sworn to uphold.” She observed that the incident occurred in a constituency represented by a BJP MLA, yet the Prime Minister attributed it to the TMC, calling such sweeping and unsubstantiated generalisations immature and unbecoming of the highest office. Banerjee also accused the BJP of trying to polarise the state along North Bengal and South Bengal lines, stressing that while violence must be condemned, the focus should remain on relief and healing.She urged unity, calling on all parties to work together to serve the people in need and leave politics aside during the crisis.As floodwaters began receding in North Bengal on Monday, eight more bodies were recovered, raising the death toll in one of the region’s worst calamities to 36. Many people remain missing. Until Sunday, 28 bodies had been recovered across the hills and plains of North Bengal, including five Nepalis.West Bengal CM who arrived in the region on Monday had announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of each deceased.
Suvendu Adhikari slams West Bengal CM:
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari hit out at Banerjee after her post. In a post on X, Adhikari wrote, “You are nothing but a ‘Dictator in Denial’. Resign if you have any shame left.” He accused her of attempting to whitewash her party workers’ misconduct and criticised her for failing to act while North Bengal was affected by floods.
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Adhikari added that BJP leaders stepped in to help victims and said the Prime Minister’s remarks on the issue were accurate, observing that such violence was unexpected during a time of crisis.
