Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday alleged that the devastating fire at the Wow Momo factory-cum-warehouse in Anandapur, on the southern outskirts of Kolkata, was not an accident but the result of “rampant corruption” under the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government. The blaze, which occurred earlier this week, claimed the lives of 25 people, while 27 others are still reported missing.
Addressing a mass rally and BJP workers’ conference at Barrackpore in South 24 Parganas district, Shah questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and the alleged lack of action against those responsible. He claimed that the owner of the factory had not been arrested due to his proximity to influential political figures, raising serious concerns about accountability and governance.
Shah further alleged that multiple safety violations were overlooked due to corruption and demanded answers on who invested in the factory and the nature of the owner’s associations. He criticised the state government’s response to the tragedy, accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of politicising the issue instead of ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
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The Union Home Minister asserted that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in West Bengal after the Assembly elections, a comprehensive investigation would be conducted and all those responsible for the tragedy would be brought to justice. He also cited the BJP’s growing vote share in the state, expressing confidence that the party could form the government in 2026.
In his address, Shah also targeted Mamata Banerjee over issues of governance and leadership succession, accusing her of nurturing dynastic ambitions. He reassured members of the Matua community that their voting rights would remain protected amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, stating that the process would continue transparently despite opposition from the ruling party.
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