Introduction
In a disturbing turn of events, residents of the Kulti neighborhood in Asansol city, West Bengal, have accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of cutting water supply in retaliation for the area's political leanings following the 2024 Lok Sabha election results. This accusation has sparked outrage and drawn attention to the long-standing water crisis plaguing the region, igniting a heated debate over the alleged politicization of essential services.
Mamata Banerjee, locals protest against water crisis in Kulti neighborhood of Asansol, images via PTI and Sangbad Pratidin
The Water Crisis in Kulti
Kulti has been grappling with an acute water shortage for an extended period, prompting the government to dispatch water tankers to alleviate the situation in the run-up to the elections. However, reports indicate that after the election results, the number of water tankers sent to Kulti decreased drastically, and the availability of piped water diminished from 30 minutes a day to a mere 15-20 minutes, further exacerbating the water scarcity issue.
Residents' Protest and BJP Support
Driven to desperation by the ongoing shortage, residents of Kulti took to the streets, launching a vigorous protest against the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government. The desperate citizens resorted to blocking the vital Asansol Barakar GT Road, using fallen trees and makeshift barricades to draw attention to their plight. The demonstration gained political momentum as BJP MLA Ajay Kumar Poddar from Pachim Bardhaman joined the agitators, amplifying their demands for immediate action to address the water scarcity.
Source: Business Standard
Ajay Kumar Poddar's Comments
While speaking about the matter, Ajay Kumar Poddar remarked, "Water is life. People in the area are not getting water…As a result, people are forced to hit the streets. This protest is not being carried out on the behest of any political party. Earlier four water tanks used to come daily. Now, it has been reduced to one."
He further emphasized, "They could not build the infrastructure. Pipes are installed in houses, but there is no water. TMC lost in the area, and so they cut off our water supply."
TMC's Denial and Response
In response, the Trinamool Congress has vehemently denied the allegations. Asansol Mayor Bidhan Upadhyay claimed, "The allegations made by the BJP are baseless. BJP also did well in Asansol South. Then the water would have been shut off there too. The real reason is that the storms and rains have caused problems in the water lines. But it will be alright. Our government and municipality do not work with any political motive. BJP is known to make excuses after losing elections. That's their job."
Alleged Garbage Dumping Incident
Adding fuel to the fire, another controversial incident sparked outrage on social media earlier this month. Residents of 'Sunrise Heights,' a housing society in Kolkata's Beleghata area, allegedly faced retribution for their political choices. An X user named 'Subham' reported that the TMC government was punishing the society's 543 residents for voting in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by deliberately dumping garbage outside the complex.
TMC's Controversial Response
In a shocking turn of events, Nilanjan Das, State General Secretary of Trinamool Congress, appeared to confirm the incident on X, describing the act of garbage dumping as a "non-violent means of revenge." The BJP has strongly condemned the TMC for its outrageous actions, stating, "The TMC State General Secretary shamelessly boasts about dumping garbage in front of a Kolkata housing society for daring to vote against them. Is this what 'serving the people' looks like? Pure thuggery and intimidation." Following the outrage on social media, Nilanjan Das deleted his controversial tweet.
Conclusion
The water crisis in Kulti and the alleged garbage dumping incident have sparked a heated debate over the politicization of essential services and the potential misuse of power by the ruling party. While the TMC has denied the allegations, the residents' protests and the BJP's support have brought these issues to the forefront, raising concerns about the state of governance and the protection of citizens' rights in West Bengal. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether these allegations will be addressed transparently and whether concrete steps will be taken to resolve the water crisis and ensure the fair and equitable distribution of resources, regardless of political affiliations.
コメント