‘Poor Enforcement, Corruption Led to Fire’: Amit Shah on Anandpur Incident Slams Mamata Banerjee

Union Home Minister Amit Shah linked the recent Anandpur momo factory fire to alleged corruption in West Bengal, accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of responsibility. Speaking at a BJP workers' meet, Shah said the blaze that killed several workers showed deeper failures in state governance and demanded accountability from those in power.

Shah opened his address by referring to the victims of the Kolkata industrial fire and said the tragedy should not be viewed as a routine mishap. He argued that poor enforcement of rules and corrupt practices within the administration created the conditions for the deadly incident at the Anandpur warehouse.

Amit Shah Mamata Banerjee West Bengal fire allegations and investigation

Earlier in the week, a major fire swept through a momo factory in Kolkata's Anandpur area, leaving several workers dead and others missing. Baruipur Police officials said 21 samples were sent for profiling to help identify victims. Police registered reports for 27 missing people, arrested 3 individuals, and stated that investigations were still underway.

Available figures from police and officials highlighted the scale of the disaster and the continuing probe into possible lapses. Authorities were working to match the profiling samples with complaints from families. Shah used these details to argue that the state should answer questions about safety checks, factory norms, and alleged political protection for violators.

Referring directly to the gathering of BJP workers, Shah said the loss of lives at the warehouse symbolised the alleged corruption culture within the Mamata Banerjee administration. He maintained that the fire showed how ordinary workers were exposed to unsafe workspaces, despite repeated claims about development and welfare in West Bengal.

"As I stand before this massive gathering of workers, I want to begin by paying tribute to all the workers who lost their lives in the fire at the momo factory in the Anandpur warehouse. This fire was not an accident. It was the result of the corruption of the Mamata Banerjee government," Shah said.

Amit Shah Mamata Banerjee West Bengal fire, NRC and voter list debate

Moving from the industrial tragedy to electoral issues, Shah alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was trying to create fear among sections of voters in West Bengal. Shah focused on the Matua and Namashudra communities, claiming that attempts were being made to mislead people about citizenship, the NRC and their voting rights.

"I have come to know that Mamata Banerjee is intimidating the Matua community and the Namashudra community in West Bengal. Through this public programme, I want to tell you that there is no need to be afraid. Mamata ji cannot touch your vote. Mamata ji may oppose the NRC as much as she wants, but infiltrators will have to be removed from the voters' list. And if any are still left, a BJP Chief Minister will come and remove them," Shah said.

Shah's remarks framed the voter list and the presence of alleged infiltrators as key political issues for the BJP in the state. By assuring the Matua and Namashudra communities that their votes were secure, Shah tried to draw a line between genuine citizens and those described as infiltrators, while accusing Mamata Banerjee of shielding the latter.

Amit Shah Mamata Banerjee West Bengal fire and corruption challenge

The Union Home Minister then shifted to accusations of corruption against leaders in the ruling Trinamool Congress and directly challenged Mamata Banerjee on candidate selection. Shah said that if Banerjee was serious about acting against graft, she should stop giving election tickets to party functionaries facing such charges.

"Today, I challenge Mamata ji. If you have the courage and if you truly oppose corruption, then prove it by not giving tickets to these people. You will not be able to do it because if tickets are not given to them, they will expose her nephew's name. But we will investigate every case of corruption and send all corrupt people to jail," he said.

According to Shah, alleged scams in West Bengal would face detailed scrutiny if the BJP gained more power in the state. He said investigating agencies would examine every corruption case and claimed that those found guilty, whether political leaders or linked officials, would be prosecuted and jailed after due process.