Daijiworld Media Network- Kolkata
Kolkata, Feb 13: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of concealing the actual death toll in the recent Maha Kumbh stampede. Speaking at a press conference in the State Assembly on Wednesday, Banerjee alleged that the BJP-led government in UP was not revealing the correct number of casualties from the incident.
"So many people lost their lives in the Kumbh stampede, but the actual numbers are not being disclosed. They created massive hype about the event’s turnout, but proper arrangements were not made to manage the crowd," she said.
The Uttar Pradesh government has reported 30 deaths from the January 29 stampede. However, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo claimed to have seen social media videos showing piles of clothes and footwear abandoned at the venue, indicating a larger human tragedy. She further alleged that the media was being silenced and was not reporting the true extent of the disaster.
Mamata Banerjee’s remarks came a day after union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman alleged irregularities in the implementation of several centrally sponsored schemes in West Bengal.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman had claimed that the TMC, despite priding itself on grassroots politics, was now denying people their rights at the grassroots level.
Responding to the Finance Minister’s criticism, Banerjee retorted, "Nirmala Devi, focus less on Bengal. What happened to the Ujjwala Scheme? It was announced before elections, but what is its future? You only make speeches."
She further accused the Central Government of undermining the federal structure and claimed that even BJP-ruled states like Gujarat were now alleging delays in fund allocation by the Centre. "The country cannot be strong without a strong federal structure," she asserted.
The West Bengal CM also targeted the Election Commission of India, alleging that it was being used to manipulate voter lists online.
"Why are voter list additions being done online? To register as a voter, a person needs to be physically present. Names of people from Bihar are being added to Bengal’s voter list. Why is this happening?" she questioned.
She also pointed out that Maharashtra’s voter list had increased by 40 lac and hinted at a pre-planned strategy ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
"Some people take time to understand arithmetic, but we have already figured it out. The plan is to add 20,000 to 30,000 voters from outside in each Assembly constituency of Bengal. But we will foil this conspiracy," Banerjee said.
Ending on a defiant note, she added, "Other states may not be able to resist, but West Bengal will. After all, this is the land where India’s freedom struggle began."