Facing criticism for taking part in the Durga Puja Carnival even as north Bengal reeled under floods and landslides, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Opposition BJP of “shamelessly politicising a natural calamity for narrow political gains”.

“If I had gone that day, what could I have done? The administration needs time to begin work after such a disaster. Going there would have hampered the rescue operation… The carnival is not a party function. It’s an event that represents West Bengal’s culture and unity. Foreign dignitaries and guests were present at the event,” she said while addressing a press conference at Uttarkanya, the state secretariat in north Bengal.

“Some people have already started doing politics. Why shouldn’t the carnival happen in West Bengal? It’s our pride. The clubs wait for it all year. Doesn’t that have any value?” the chief minister added.

She also rejected the Opposition’s charge that the government was slow to respond to the disaster in the affected areas.

“I held a meeting with the chief secretary and Director General of Police at 5 in the morning on Sunday… The primary requirement after a flood is to rescue the people who are stranded. They were in panic. The primary role of the administration is to assure them. We reached North Bengal within 36 hours of the incident,” she said.

“People are dying in natural disasters, yet some are saying bridges collapsed due to negligence. Bridges are collapsing in Maharashtra, Delhi, UP, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, everywhere. Even the Maha Kumbh witnessed disasters. Did we ever politicise those?” she said.
With Mamata taking part in the Carnival on Sunday evening, the Opposition BJP and CPI(M) had called her “insensitive and irresponsible”.