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Cyclone gone, it’s time for politics over relief
Monday's cyclone in the state brought to the fore the sharp contrast between relief operations undertaken by two rival leaders.
Monday's cyclone in the state brought to the fore the sharp contrast between relief operations undertaken by two rival leaders.
On Tuesday, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee headed for 24 parganas south — the district most affected by the cyclones. Their styles were different and the flavour was distinctly competitive.
Mamata’s programme, after becoming the railway minister, started with taking a special train to Kakdwip. The relief trip just stopped short of being a victory march, with several TMC supporters thronging the stations to meet Mamata.
Bhattacharjee’s trip on the other hand was more low profile and businesslike. He wrapped up the visit in a couple of hours, briefed the press and returned to Kolkata.
“Doctors are on the way. Please don’t drink water from the ponds. You may be risking enteric diseases,” the Chief Minister told those sheltered in B R Ambedkar College in Kultali.
