Political colour not to influence flood relief: TMC Secretary General Partha Chatterjee

KRISHNAGAR: Political affiliations will not come in the way of distributing flood relief in the state, Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said even as disgruntled locals today stopped his convoy in Nadia district to vent their ire on a local party MLA.

Chatterjee who is in the district since yesterday to oversee relief operations said government officials have been asked to ensure that there was no politics in the distribution of relief.

Local party MLA Raman Biswas today faced the ire of the people when he was visiting the flood-affected areas of the district alongwith Chatterjee.

His car was stopped by locals at Chandamari area near Kalyani who had a heated argument with him about his absence from the flood-affected areas till today.

The locals then complained to the TMC secretary general about Biswas. They said that the local MLA did not visit the affected areas in the last 3-4 days.

After listening to their grievances, Chatterjee said distribution of relief should be the priority now.

About the extent of damage in Nadia district, Chatterjee who visited Kalyani and Chakdah areas today said about 2.5 lakh people spread over 11 blocks and three municipalities were affected.

Twelve districts of the state are reeling under flood which has claimed 69 lives. 3.63 lakh people of the affected districts have taken shelter in 2,213 relief camps.