Kolkata warehouse fire: Tragedy result of TMC’s corruption, says Amit Shah; Mamata govt reminds BJP of Goa nightclub blaze, Indore water tragedy

KOLKATA: The Nazirabad fire tragedy was not an accident but a result of Trinamool’s corruption, Union home minister Amit Shah alleged on Saturday during a workers’ meeting in Barrackpore.

Later, speaking in Siliguri, Shah said if voted to office in Bengal, BJP would investigate each corruption case under Supreme Court’s supervision.


Alleging that “Trinamool’s men were involved in the incident”, the home minister claimed the factories did not have environmental clearance and were constructed on wetlands. “Had anyone closed the factory gate when people were shouting inside? After a BJP govt is formed here in April, we will find out the culprits and put them behind bars,” he said.

Shah also claimed CM Mamata Banerjee would have reacted differently if the fire victims were infiltrators. “She should be ashamed of playing vote-bank politics. When our party workers tried to protest, cops beat them up,” he said.

Questioning Trinamool’s links with the momo chain whose warehouse was one of the two gutted in Nazirabad killing at least 27, Shah said, “Why did this happen? Who had invested in the momo factory? I demand a proper investigation.”

Raking up the issue of dynasty politics, Shah said, “Mamata didi needs a cataract operation because she can’t see properly. She is blinded by her affection for her nephew.”

TMC reminds BJP of Goa nightclub blaze, Indore water deaths

If home minister Amit Shah blames CM Mamata Banerjee for the fire tragedy in Anandapur, then PM Narendra Modi is equally responsible for the Goa nightclub blaze a month ago, Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said on Saturday.

“In Indore, people died after drinking contaminated water. Should PM Modi be blamed for that too?” he said, adding, “When you point one finger at someone, three fingers will point back at you.”

Referring to Shah’s allegations of Trinamool’s links with the momo chain whose factory was one of the two gutted, Abhishek said, “Those politicising the incident because an industrialist accompanied the CM as part of an overseas delegation should explain PM Modi’s connection with Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, who are accused of fleeing the country with over Rs 20,000 crore. Both had accompanied the PM to international forums like World Economic Forum. There are pictures as well.”

Abhishek further added that if Mamata Banerjee is held responsible for the deaths of 25 people in Anandapur, then the PM and HM are responsible for the deaths of over 140 people due to SIR, which BJP wanted to implement in Bengal. “About 150 people died during demonetisation. Are they responsible for those deaths as well?” he said, adding, “BJP should fight Trinamool on development and political issues rather than spreading divisive hatred.”