Kolkata, Nov. 2 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday demanded a Supreme Court-controlled inquest into the recent bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat, which killed more than 130 people.
“We can’t always control accidents. But at the same time, it must be seen that the right organization is given the right task. I heard that the government there (in Gujarat) did not provide enough help to the families of the victims. The bridge at Morbi was allowed to continue. be used by the public before the renovation work was properly completed.
“This has been done quickly, taking into account the upcoming parliamentary elections there. That is why I think there should be an SC-controlled inquiry into the matter,” Banerjee told media before he left for Chennai on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister will be in Chennai to attend the 80th birthday of the elder brother of West Bengal Governor La Ganesan.
She is also said to meet with the chief minister of Tamil Nadu and DMK leader M.K. Stalin in Chennai.
While speaking with reporters here, Banerjee also wondered why central research firms like CBI and ED are not investigating irregularities in the tender process for the bridge renovation.
“People’s lives are more important than politics. The way the bridge was maintained was nothing but a crime,” she said.
The Chief Minister also criticized the Center and the BJP over the decision of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Christians coming from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and currently in the Mehsana and Anand districts in Gujarat.
“We are absolutely against such decisions aimed at serving minor political interests. This decision has been made in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Gujarat. We will not tolerate such things in West Bengal,” she said.
Kolkata, Nov. 2 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday demanded a Supreme Court-controlled inquest into the recent bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat, which killed more than 130 people.