TMC reminds BJP of Goa nightclub blaze, Indore water deaths

KOLKATA: If home minister Amit Shah blames CM Mamata Banerjee for the fire tragedy in Anandapur, then PM Nar-endra Modi is equally responsible for the Goa nightclub blaze a month ago, Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said on Saturday.

“In Indore, people died after drinking contaminated water. Should PM Modi be blamed for that too?” he said, adding, “When you point one finger at someone, three fingers will point back at you.”




Referring to Shah’s allegations of Trinamool’s links with the momo chain whose factory was one of the two gutted, Abhishek said, “Those politicising the incident because an industrialist accompanied the CM as part of an overseas delegation should explain PM Modi’s connection with Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, who are accused of fleeing the country with over Rs 20,000 crore. Both had accompanied the PM to international forums like World Economic Forum. There are pictures as well.”

Speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport before flying to Delhi for the Budget session, Abhishek said, “How low can one stoop to politicise such issues? It was a private godown, and govt cannot monitor everything inside a private godown. But once govt received information, everyone acted with utmost urgency. Those responsible, including the godown owner and the momo factory manager have been apprehended. None will be spared.” TnnAbhishek further added that if Mamata Banerjee is held responsible for the deaths of 25 people in Anandapur, then the PM and HM are responsible for the deaths of over 140 people due to SIR, which BJP wanted to implement in Bengal. “About 150 people died during demonetisation. Are they responsible for those deaths as well?” he said, adding, “BJP should fight Trinamool on development and political issues rather than spreading bigotry and divisive hatred.”

On Shah’s corruption charges, the Trinamool MP said, “The person standing right next to him on dais (Suvendu Adhikari) has corruption charges against him. They talk about investigating corruption, but we have seen examples of BJP’s so-called fight against corruption, from Suvendu Adhikari in Bengal to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to Narayan Rane in Maharashtra. There are several such examples over the last 10–12 years.”

Brushing aside Shah’s claim of 50% vote share, Abhishek said, “Last time, too, they claimed they would get 200-plus seats. During Lok Sabha polls, the PM said their best result would come from Bengal. Many exit polls also predicted BJP would get 30 or more seats, but when the results came out, the game changed.”

Calling Shah the “most unsuccessful home minister since Independence”, Abhishek said, “If SIR needs to be done, Amit Shah alone is to blame for it. If borders are secured by BSF, which is under home ministry, how are people entering the country? CISF guards the collieries, then how is coal pilferage happening? Who is responsible? Rather than politicising unfortunate incidents, they should help ensure such incidents are not repeated.”