Buddha, Mamata try to earn brownie points

With assembly elections round the corner neither West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mamata Banerjee, who heads the opposition Trinamool Congress, is using any opportunity to earn brownie points with the voters.

With assembly elections round the corner neither West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mamata Banerjee, who heads the opposition Trinamool Congress, is using any opportunity to earn brownie points with the voters.

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Ever since a trawler ferrying pilgrims capsized at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district on Saturday, killing 21 people, several leaders, associates and cabinet colleagues of the Trinamool and the CPM-led Left government have visited the spot.

The CM left his party’s state committee meet and rushed to the spot on Sunday afternoon. After meeting district officials, he also visited the Kakdwip hospital to meet the survivors.

Banerjee, on the other hand, braved the fatigue of her two-day tour of Maoist-affected districts, Bankura and Purulia, to rush to Kakdwip.

Both parties are trying to outdo each other by sending several ministers to look after relief and rescue operations.
But the locals seem far from impressed.

Angry villagers from Kakdwip blocked roads and agitated for over eight hours, disrupting vehicular movement in the area.

They alleged that rescue operations started late and were inadequate.

The villagers also raised questions regarding lack of government initiative to stop such recurring boat mishaps.

West Bengal minister Sreekumar Mukherjee’s convoy was also held up for an hour due to the agitation.