As Mamata’s dandiya dance goes viral day after rains in Kolkata, BJP says ‘insensitive’, TMC retorts ‘look at rain in your own states’

BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X, “Not even 24 hours since Kolkata was drowning and 11 people were electrocuted to death, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee found it appropriate to indulge in revelry and play dandiya during a Durga Puja inauguration in Bhawanipur’s Chakraberia. How insensitive can one be? Mamata Banerjee is the very epitome of it.”

The BJP’s official West Bengal handle also targeted Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress government, calling the electrocution tragedy their “complete failure”. The post read, “Barely 24 hours have passed since 10 Bengalis lost their lives due to electrocution, a tragedy that happened because of the complete failure of Mamata Banerjee and her government. And yet, look at her, instead of mourning with the people of Bengal, she is out playing dandiya.”

The post alleged, “She is not even pretending to care anymore. Her actions show that she has become a dictator who believes she is above accountability and that her PR will manage everything, and the remaining few journalists on her payroll will cover up for her.”

However, the TMC hit back saying the BJP should remember rains in Delhi, Mumbai and other BJP-ruled states. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “This is the first time that Kolkata has had cloudburst rain. It was a record amount, which is 20 percent of the entire year’s rainfall. With the Chief Minister’s efforts, the Municipal Corporation, Police, Emergency Department has brought the metropolitan area back to normal.”

He added, “The situation has returned to normal in most places. Then, why is the opposition criticising the Chief Minister? What happens to their Delhi, Mumbai, and Surat when water logging occurs? If there is such terrible rain, the opposition will play cheap politics here, too. First, look at your own states.”

Meanwhile, CM Banerjee said during the inauguration of Durga Puja at Alipore Police Bodyguards Line, “There are always some people who only want to spread negativity and criticism. Do not listen to them. Even I face abuse every day, but still, I continue to work relentlessly. I believe in communal harmony. I respect all religions, languages, and communities. But when our own language is disrespected, it hurts my heart. Just as we have recognised languages like Rajbanshi, Hindi, etc., I expect equal respect for our own language as well.”

Praising the police force, she said, “I want to tell my police family that the world cannot run without you. During any festival, you hardly get time at home. In every disaster, you are the first to step in, and despite that, nobody hears complaints from you. Salute to all of you and salute to my police family.”

Banerjee added, “I have seen during many disasters that the police set up relief camps, community kitchen centres, and do so much service work. Even from their own funds, the bodyguard line has brought an ambulance. They asked me to give it a name, so I thought of one and named it ‘Sebashree’.”