Kolkata Warehouse Fire Triggers Political Storm as BJP and TMC Trade Charges
The devastating warehouse fire on the outskirts of Kolkata that claimed at least 27 lives has now turned into a major political flashpoint, with the BJP and the Trinamool Congress locked in a war of words over responsibility and accountability.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, calling the Anandapur warehouse blaze “not an accident” but the result of alleged corruption. Speaking at a BJP workers’ conference in Barrackpore, Shah questioned how such a tragedy could occur and raised doubts over the financial dealings linked to the warehouse, which was reportedly sublet to a momo manufacturing company.
Expressing condolences to the families of the victims, Shah demanded answers, asking why the warehouse owner had not been immediately arrested and what financial interests were involved. He said that if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, the party would order a judicial inquiry monitored by a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Monday at a warehouse used for storing decorative materials. The premises had been sublet to a momo chain company, where several workers were present at the time. Despite the deployment of 12 fire engines, the blaze proved fatal, leaving families shattered. Police have recovered charred skeletal remains of 16 victims so far, which have been sent for DNA testing to establish their identities.
In the wake of the tragedy, police have arrested three people, including the warehouse owner and members of the momo company’s management, as investigations continue.
Hitting back at the Centre’s criticism, Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said it was unrealistic to expect the state government to inspect every private warehouse. Calling the incident deeply tragic, he accused the BJP of politicising deaths for electoral gain.
“TMC does not believe in vulture politics over human lives,” Banerjee said. He added that arrests had already been made, including from Wow Momo’s management, and urged the media and public to support the administration in ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future.
The political temperature rose further after senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari led a large protest march at Narendrapur near Kolkata, with hundreds of supporters demanding justice for the victims.
As grieving families wait for answers and DNA reports to identify their loved ones, the tragedy has exposed not just safety lapses but also the deep political divide in West Bengal.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
