Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Jan 31: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, alleging that “corruption” under the state administration was responsible for the deaths of workers in the recent fire at a momo factory warehouse in Anandpur.

Addressing a BJP karyakarta sammelan, Shah said he began his speech by paying tribute to the workers who lost their lives, while insisting that the incident was not accidental.

“This fire was not an accident. It was the result of the corruption of the Mamata Banerjee government,” Shah said.

Earlier this week, a massive blaze broke out at a momo factory in Kolkata’s Anandpur area, leaving several people dead and many unaccounted for. According to Baruipur Police, 21 samples have been sent for profiling, while reports of 27 people missing have been registered in connection with the case. Police said three persons have been arrested so far and investigations are underway.

Meanwhile, Shah also alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was intimidating the Matua and Namashudra communities in the state, urging them not to be afraid and claiming their voting rights could not be taken away.

“Mamata ji may oppose the NRC as much as she wants, but infiltrators will have to be removed from the voters’ list. And if any are still left, a BJP Chief Minister will come and remove them,” he said.

Challenging Banerjee on corruption, Shah said she should prove her stand against graft by denying election tickets to leaders facing allegations.

“If you truly oppose corruption, then prove it by not giving tickets to these people,” he said, adding that the BJP would investigate all cases of corruption and ensure action against those involved.

Shah also hailed Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, calling him a priceless gem of Bengal, and recalled his role in safeguarding the state’s identity and his sacrifice linked to the Kashmir issue.