Kolkata Rain Triggers Political Clash Ahead of Durga Puja

Kolkata, Sept 23, 2025 Heavy Rainfall Paralyzes Kolkata, Leaves Seven Dead Torrential overnight rain, described as “cloudburst-like,” brought Kolkata to a standstill on Tuesday. Several areas reported knee-to-waist-deep water, crippling traffic and disrupting rail as well as flight services. At least seven people died of electrocution during the flooding. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling the downpour “unprecedented,” advanced Durga Puja holidays for government schools by two days. BJP Blames TMC for “Festival Misery” The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), blaming corruption and civic failures for the flooding during Bengal’s biggest festival season. Posting visuals from Maniktala on social media, the state BJP unit wrote: “Durga Pujo preparations are in full swing, but poor drainage has left pandals under water. Years of mismanagement under CPI(M) and corruption under TMC have forced Bengalis to suffer even during their most important festival.” In another post featuring Science City under water, the BJP questioned Kolkata’s liveability and future investment prospects. TMC Counters: “Natural Calamity, Not Civic Failure” Responding to the criticism, Bengal finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya argued that the disaster stemmed from an unusual cloudburst. “Nearly 300 mm of rain fell in just a few hours—no city infrastructure can withstand such intensity. Yet BJP ignores science, ignores compassion, and only spreads hate,” she posted. Bhattacharya accused the opposition of politicising a natural calamity, adding: “People can distinguish between nature’s wrath and propaganda. BJP’s strategy will collapse.” TMC Ministers Slam BJP’s “Double Standards” Women and Child Development Minister Sashi Panja also lashed out, accusing BJP leaders of lacking empathy. “Amid tragedy, leadership is shown through compassion and action. BJP mocks Bengal while their own states drown in rain. When Gurgaon floods, they stay silent. But here they weaponise pain during Durga Puja,” Panja remarked. Opposition Leader Demands Accountability Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, however, doubled down on criticism of the TMC government and civic agencies. Calling the deaths a “procession of tragedies,” Adhikari alleged that the administration repeatedly failed to act despite accurate rainfall warnings. He also slammed the Power Department for negligence after seven electrocution deaths: “This is not just failure—it is criminal negligence. Officials must be held accountable for ignoring live wire dangers and punished accordingly.” Cloudburst or Civic Collapse? The debate continues over whether Kolkata’s waterlogging reflects an extraordinary weather event or deep-rooted governance issues. For citizens, however, the immediate reality is flooded homes, submerged pandals, and grief during a festival meant for celebration. Kolkata Rain Sparks Political Row Severe overnight rainfall in Kolkata left large parts of the city waterlogged, causing traffic chaos, flight delays, and seven tragic deaths due to electrocution. As Durga Puja preparations faced disruption, politics took center stage. The BJP blamed the TMC-led Kolkata Municipal Corporation for civic failures and corruption, alleging negligence even during Bengal’s biggest festival. The TMC countered, calling the downpour a rare cloudburst that no infrastructure could handle, and accused the BJP of politicising tragedy. With pandals submerged and daily life halted, the clash between “science versus governance” has deepened, leaving citizens caught in the crisis.