Had Kumbh tragedy happened in Oppn.-ruled State, BJP would have sought President’s Rule: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress criticizes Uttar Pradesh for lack of planning at Maha Kumbh, highlighting VIP culture and inadequate arrangements.

With the toll of pilgrims from West Bengal in the Maha Kumbh tragedy rising to four, Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday (January 31, 2025) targeted Uttar Pradesh for investing more on publicity of the event than in planning and proper arrangements.

“If this (the tragedy) had occurred in any non-BJP state, they ( the BJP) would have called for Presidential rule,” Mr. Banerjee told journalists. Describing the stampede as “extremely unfortunate” the Diamond Harbour MP said if so many people were visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela there had to be proper arrangements. “While the arrangements and planning were less and shoddy, publicity was at its peak,” he said.

The Trinamool Congress leader also raised questions on the VIP culture at the Maha Kumbh Mela . “People have seen how they are making special ways for the leaders and ministers at the Maha Kumbh, so much so, that their vehicles are allowed near Sangam. This should not have been allowed,” he said.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also expressed condolences over the tragedy that claimed several lives. The Trinamool Congress also emphasised that “planning and care must be maximal in matters relating to pilgrims’ lives in vast assemblies of people”.

Trinamool Congress leadership has also tried to draw parallels with the Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal, an annual pilgrimage at the confluence of river Ganga with the sea and said that the Mamata Banerjee administration has been successfully organising the mela every year without any incidents.

Meanwhile, the toll of pilgrims from West Bengal increased to four on Friday. Amiya Saha (28) from Baishnabnagar area of Malda district and Binod Ruidas (35) from Jamuria in Paschim Bardhaman have also died in the stampede in Kumbh. On Thursday, family members of two women Basanti Poddar from the city’s Golf Green area and Urmila Bhuniya from Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district – had claimed that they had died in the stampede at Kumbh on Wednesday. Ministers from the West Bengal government have met family members of the deceased and offered assistance.

Several pilgrims who have returned to West Bengal have said that they received little help from the Uttar Pradesh government after the tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday.