Thu Sep 25 23:10:00 UTC 2025: **NEWS ARTICLE:**

**Kolkata Reels From Deadly Floods Amid Political Blame Game**

**KOLKATA – September 26, 2025** – Kolkata is grappling with the aftermath of unprecedented rainfall that caused severe flooding across the city, leaving at least nine dead from electrocution and causing widespread disruption to daily life. The torrential downpour, which occurred on the night of September 22-23, has triggered a fierce political battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The dispute centers on the rainfall data reported following the deluge. The TMC initially claimed “overnight rainfall measuring 1,423.2mm across major neighbourhoods,” a figure the BJP quickly disputed, citing a 252mm measurement mentioned by a state minister. The BJP accused the TMC of spreading misinformation, claiming the higher figure was a cumulative total across multiple locations and not an accurate average.

The TMC retaliated, accusing the BJP of ignorance and emphasizing that the widespread nature of the flooding justified the consolidated figure. The war of words continued with both parties exchanging insults and accusations of PR manipulation.

Beyond the data dispute, the BJP has directly blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim for the deaths and the city’s inadequate response to the disaster. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticized Banerjee for participating in festivities while the city mourned its losses.

The TMC, in turn, accused the BJP of politicizing a natural calamity. Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh highlighted that the rainfall represented approximately 20% of the region’s average annual rainfall.

The flooding has caused extensive damage to infrastructure and businesses, occurring just days before the Durga Puja celebrations. The heated political rhetoric further exacerbates the already tense situation in the flood-stricken city.

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