Referring to stampede tragedies in Prayagraj and New Delhi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday sparked controversy by terming the ongoing Maha Kumbh as ‘Mrityu Kumbh’.
She also refuted Bharatiya Janata Party’s allegation she has links with terrorists and fundamentalists in Bangladesh and said she would resign if they could prove such claims.
Accusing the BJP of not revealing the actual death toll in the Prayagraj stampede, Mamata said, “This is Mrityu Kumbh. They (the BJP government) have hidden hundreds of bodies to bring down the toll. I respect Maha Kumbh. But there is no planning. How many people have been recovered? For the rich, there are systems available to get tents for as high as ₹1 lakh. For the poor, there are no arrangements at the Kumbh.”
Castigating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the West Bengal CM also condemned the way the Indian illegal immigrants were deported in chains from the US to India.
Expressing concerns over the “inhuman conditions” under which the deportees were sent back, Mamata said, “Bringing back deportees in chains is shameful. The Honorable Prime Minister, did you take responsibility for this? While you were in the US, illegal immigrants were deported from there in chains. You could have at least said ‘These our citizens, we will take them back’. You could have sent a flight to bring them back. We should have taken responsibility for bringing them back with dignity.”
The West Bengal chief minister also lambasted the BJP for accusing her of having links with terrorists.
“I am accused of being a member of the Muslim League. I condemn such an allegation. They accuse me of having links with terrorists and fundamentalists in Bangladesh. I will resign if they can prove it. The BJP is using religion for political gains,” said Mamata while addressing the Assembly.
Mamata’s remark is said to be referred to Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari’s allegations against her after he was suspended along with four BJP legislators on Monday. BJP MLAs decided to boycott Mamata in the Assembly.
“BJP MLAs are afraid to face me, which is why they boycott the House whenever I speak,” said Mamata.
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