Opposition blames Mamata minister, CM says CPI(M) responsible

KOLKATA: The flyover collapse on Thursday could not have come at a more inopportune time for the ruling Trinamool Congress that is already battling the Narada sting issue. Though some leaders suggested that no one should indulge in politicking over such a disaster, the blame game started in the right earnest in the city.

State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury was the most aggressive. “Urban development minister Firhad Hakim has to say how much bribe he received for allowing sub-standard material that led to the collapse. He should be arrested immediately.”

Taking the fight back to the opposition camp, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Construction of the flyover began during the CPI(M) regime. We have cancelled all our election meetings and have come here.”

Ashok Bhattacharya, CPI(M) leader and former urban development minister, was prompt in pointing out that though the construction began during his tenure, the blame must be shouldered by Hakim during whose tenure almost the entire construction took place. “There should be a high-level inquiry,” said Bhattacharya.

Union minister of state for urban development Babul Supriyo said, “The construction of the flyover was carried on in an unscientific manner. The state administration clearly did not learn any lesson from the Ultadanga flyover collapse three years ago.”

Meanwhile, chief secretary Basudeb Banerjee said, “The government will give a compensation of `5 lakh to the kin of the victims and `2 lakh to the injured.”