BJP Versus Trinamool After Mamata Banerjee's Dandiya At Kolkata Puja Pandal

BJP Versus Trinamool After Mamata Banerjee's Dandiya At Kolkata Puja Pandal

Mamata Banerjee highlighted how Delhi and Mumbai residents suffered during recent rainfall events.

Kolkata:

A political controversy has erupted after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in a brief Dandiya dance at a puja pandal in south Kolkata's Chakraberia. The 25-second video clip has drawn significant criticism, particularly as it occurred just a day after at least 10 individuals in Kolkata and surrounding suburbs lost their lives during overnight rainfall.

The BJP has responded with fierce criticism.

BJP's Amit Malviya posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): "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".

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... pic.twitter.com/5iY16ECPLy

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 24, 2025

The official BJP handle also posted: "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."

"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!!" the post continued.

The ruling Trinamool Congress offered a strong rebuttal.

"This is the first time that Kolkata has experienced cloudburst rain. The precipitation was record-breaking, amounting to 20 percent of the entire year's rainfall," stated senior party leader Kunal Ghosh.

He emphasized that through the Chief Minister's efforts, the Municipal Corporation, Police, and Emergency Department have successfully restored normalcy to the metropolitan area.

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

Earlier today, while discussing the rainfall, Ms. Banerjee pointed out how people suffered during recent precipitation in Delhi and Mumbai.

"How many people have faced disasters in Delhi and Mumbai? Such rain has never happened in Kolkata before. This is more than in 1978, the highest record. It was high tide till yesterday. We were able to clean all the water within seven hours," she stated, suggesting her government's superior handling of waterlogging compared to the previous Left Front administration.

With the state's greatest festival just two days away, Ms. Banerjee has been inaugurating numerous puja pandals, opening approximately 30 today alone.

Bhawanipore, home to the Chakraberia puja, falls within the Chief Minister's south Kolkata constituency—which she reclaimed after losing to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram in 2021.

The area has a significant non-Bengali population, predominantly Gujaratis, and since 2021, the Chief Minister has regularly participated in local festivals and events. Beyond Dandiya, she has even joined in Bhangra celebrations on one occasion.