Kolkata: Following a stampede in Maha Kumbh that claimed several lives and left many people injured, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that Maha Kumbh had become ‘Mrityu Kumbh’.
Addressing at the state Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister slammed her Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath and mentioned that there was ‘no planning’.
“We make plans six months ahead of Gangasagar Mela. In UP there was no planning. Proper planning should have been made before propagating the same. I respect Maha Kumbh and Ganga Maa. But it is not Maha Kumbh but Mrityu Kumbh. This is used to earn money. No one knows how many people actually died,” stated Mamata.
The West Bengal Chief Minister also mentioned that there were ‘no’ arrangements for the poor at Prayagraj.
“For VVIP there were tents of Rs. One lakh but for the poor there were no arrangements made. I can understand that stampedes happen in this sort of mela but in order to avoid that, proper planning should be made. The UP government didn’t even do an autopsy of those who have died. We did it on people who went from Bengal. If the reason of death is not known then how can the members of the deceased claim compensation from the UP government,” further slammed Mamata.
Without naming the Leader of Opposition, Mamata said that she will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask how can the opposition leader allege that she has links with terror groups?
“Opposition leader is claiming that I have links with terror groups in Bangladesh and Jammu and Kashmir. I want proof. If it is proven then I will instantly quit from the post of the Chief Minister. I have been hearing that he (LoP) is saying that I am a member of the Muslim League. I want to remind you that the Hindu saints also promoted secularism. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promotes Hinduism to get votes,” claimed the Chief Minister.
On the ongoing deportation of illegal Indians from the United States, the West Bengal Chief Minister added that the "Central government should have sent our transport planes to bring back deportees from the US.”
Notably, while Mamata spoke inside the House, the BJP Legislators including the suspended MLAs comprising the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari demonstrated outside the House over alleged problems faced by people for conducting Saraswati Puja this year across the state.
Countering back the statements of the Chief Minister, Adhikari urged all the Hindus against Mamata’s alleged ‘disrespect’ towards Maha Kumbh.
“True Hindus should rise above politics and strongly condemn and protest against the insult of Maha Kumbh. Inside the Assembly Mamata Banerjee said Maha Kumbh to be ‘Mrityu Kumbh’. Raise your voice against this attack on Hindus and on Maha Kumbh. Terrorists get arrested by Kashmir police from Bengal and not by state police STF. Mamata Banerjee had also threatened me, taking help from extremist forces. I will inform the Ministry of Home Affairs as if any attack happens to me Mamata Banerjee will be responsible for the same,” added Adhikari.
