Focus on Relief, Not Politics in Kolkata Waterlogging: Mamata Banerjee

September 24, 2025

Kolkata: As heavy rainfall triggered severe waterlogging, flight cancellations, and tragic electrocution deaths in Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday urged political parties not to politicise the crisis. She stressed that the priority must be relief and safety for the people.

The Chief Minister added that Kolkata’s situation was worsened by inflows from other states and the lack of dredging at DVC, Panchet, and Mayurakshi.

“In Kolkata, the situation is compounded by floodwaters flowing in from other states. The operations of DVC, Panchet, and Mayurakshi do not fall under our control, and no funds have been allocated to us for dredging. To those commenting on social media, I urge you not to politicise this crisis,” she said.

CM Mamata further said that in BJP-ruled states, when floods and natural calamities struck, no blame game was pursued.

“We, too, could have resorted to that, but politics has its limits, and nature is beyond anyone’s control,” she added.

The West Bengal Chief Minister expressed grief over the deaths of people who lost their lives due to an electrocution incident following the cloudburst. CM added that she has never seen such rain.

CM stated, “I have never seen rain like this. I feel so bad for the people who have lost their lives in the cloudburst. I have told schools to give a holiday today, and even office-goers should not come to work. Even tomorrow, you should not come”.

The Chief Minister said, “I heard 7-8 people have died due to electrocution. It is so unfortunate that people have lost their lives. Their families must all be given jobs by the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Limited (CESC Ltd.), I am saying this clearly. We will also do whatever is possible to help. Even our houses are submerged; we are all suffering. I am feeling so bad for the Pujo pandals as well. Is this not the duty of the CESC to be more mindful? Electricity is supplied by CESC, not us. It is their duty to ensure people do not suffer because of this. They will do business here, but not modernise here? They should send people to the field and fix this.”

The West Bengal CM further added that the State Government will provide compensation to the families of the victims and ensure employment for the next of kin. “But the CESC cannot abdicate its responsibility. They must also extend compensation of at least Rs 5 lakh to each affected family,” she added.

She added, “More water will come. There will be more waterlogging. There is high tide in the Ganga river from Mahalaya. Where will we pump out the water? There is no place to go, it will again have to go to the Ganga only. Where will we send this water, it is full of Bihar and UP’s water. I would implore all private sector workers to also not come to work, calamities affect all equally. The Centre has cut our money through GST, and all our funds are going to deal with these calamities.”

Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja echoed Banerjee’s call to keep politics away from the tragedy.

Panja said, “There is waterlogging in some parts of Kolkata and some people have lost their lives as well. Kolkata Municipal Corporation is doing its work. CM Mamata Banerjee is taking all possible steps to overcome this situation.”

She criticised the BJP for politicising the issue, stating, “The BJP is just opposing the state government on social media. When there was waterlogging in Delhi and Gurugram, there was no action from the BJP. Today, they are speaking a lot about the situation in Kolkata. We condemn politicisation of such an issue.”