Political blame game erupts after deadly Kolkata Durga Puja stampede

Political tensions escalated in West Bengal following a deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, with rival factions trading accusations over responsibility for the tragedy. A faction aligned with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the pandal's organizing committee maintained links to the Chief Minister's nephew, suggesting potential negligence in safety protocols. The allegations were swiftly rejected by opposition parties, with the BJP countering the claims as attempts to deflect from administrative failures.

Authorities moved quickly to respond to the incident, with seven individuals arrested in connection with the stampede. The arrests were made as police launched investigations into the circumstances that led to the crowd crush and the safety measures that were in place at the venue. Officials have indicated that the inquiry will focus on crowd management protocols and compliance with event safety regulations.

The stampede has intensified political divisions in the state, with multiple parties pointing fingers over accountability. Questions have been raised about whether proper precautions were implemented and whether adequate security personnel were deployed during the Durga Puja celebrations. The incident has renewed scrutiny on crowd management practices at major public events across the state.

As investigations proceed, authorities have indicated they will examine organizational records and conduct interviews with officials involved in planning and executing the event. State officials expressed concern about ensuring such tragedies do not recur, promising a comprehensive review of safety protocols at similar public gatherings during the ongoing festival season.