Kolkata, November 10, 2025 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, alleging illegal diversion of disaster management funds provided by the central government. The BJP's accusations come amidst ongoing debates over the handling of relief efforts in the wake of recent floods and landslides in North Bengal.
Several BJP leaders have voiced concerns regarding the utilization of State Disaster Relief Funds (SDRF), questioning the transparency and accountability of the TMC government. Sukanta Majumdar, former BJP state president and Union Minister of State for Education, stated that the central government contributed approximately Rs 5,000 crore to the SDRF between 2020 and 2025, representing a 75% share. He has demanded an explanation as to how these funds were utilized.
The BJP's Information Technology Cell Chief and central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, refuted claims by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that the Union government has not provided adequate support for rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Malviya asserted that the central government has been actively involved in coordinating relief operations, providing financial assistance, and deploying teams for rescue and restoration. He criticized the West Bengal administration for being "missing in action" and urged Banerjee to focus on governance rather than playing politics over people's suffering.
Adding to the controversy, BJP's Bardhaman-Durgapur candidate Dilip Ghosh claimed that the TMC "always benefits from natural calamities and disasters" by misappropriating funds sent by the Centre. He alleged that TMC leaders steal the money and deposit it into their own pockets, rather than supporting the victims of these disasters.
These allegations have surfaced in the context of the West Bengal government's decision to create a special relief fund seeking public donations for flood and landslide-affected North Bengal. The BJP has questioned the necessity of such a fund, particularly in light of the substantial central contributions to the SDRF. They argue that the state government is attempting to mask its own financial mismanagement by soliciting public donations for emergency services.
In response to the BJP's accusations, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the central government of denying flood and disaster relief funds to West Bengal, alleging that the state is discriminated against compared to other states like Assam. She has also blamed the excess release of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for exacerbating the flooding situation in several districts. However, the DVC has denied these allegations, stating that water is released only after consultations with a committee that includes representatives from the West Bengal government.
The politicalCrossfire over disaster management funds has intensified, with both the BJP and TMC trading accusations of mismanagement and politicization of relief efforts. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that those affected by the recent calamities receive the assistance they urgently need.
