Mamata faces flak for not visiting fire site which claimed 27 lives

A catastrophic fire at twin warehouses in Kolkata’s Anandapur area on Republic Day has left a trail of devastation, claiming at least 27 lives and leaving dozens missing, while also igniting a fierce political battle over government accountability.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

Five days after the blaze erupted, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has yet to visit the tragedy site—located just 10 km from her residence—prompting sharp criticism from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, which accuses her of indifference and prioritising vote banks over victims.

On Saturday, addressing a Karyakarta Sammelan in North 24-Parganas district, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: “The fire in Anandapur is not an accident. 25 people have lost their lives, and 27 are missing. Why did this incident happen? Whose money is invested in this momo factory? Who are the owners of the momo factory? With whom have the owners of the momo factory travelled abroad on flights? And why hasn’t the owner of the momo factory been arrested yet?... Would Mamata Banerjee’s reaction have been the same if these were infiltrators? Bengali citizens have been killed; what are you doing with vote bank politics in this matter? Mamata Banerjee should be ashamed...”