‘Why wasn’t CM copter used for rescue?’

Kolkata: Accusing chief minister Mamata Banerjee of creating a drama by visiting the accident site in Murshidabad, state Congress president and Berhmapore MP Adhir Chowdhury has sought to know why her helicopter was not pressed into action in the search and rescue operation instead of flying her to the district. Ms Banerjee along with transport minister Suvendu Adhikary had travelled in the copter to Berhampore to reach the spot on Monday afternoon. At night, Mr Chowdhury visited the accident site. Complaining of delay in rescue operation, Mr Chowdhury led a protest rally in the area on Tuesday. Referring to Ms Banerjee, Mr Chowdhury alleged, “The toll is rising. So is the price of the deceased. Chief minister, you should not play any game with the victims.

You must admit your failures. Instead of accepting your failures you are trying to put the blame on the people who have turned furious for obvious reasons. You are doing politics in the name of rescue operations. Why did not you press the helicopter for the search and rescue operation since morning? Why did you not send divers in the helicopter? Before you reached, the helicopters could have been used in flying in divers. You did not do it because you know you have to make a drama here as a chief minister.”

He asked, “Why was not a disaster management team posted in Murshidabad despite it being a Central rule of posting such a team in every district? Apart from post-mortem of the victims’ bodies, an investigation should be conducted on the bus also.”