Political Tensions Rise Over Taratala Warehouse Collapse in West Bengal

A significant political clash has emerged in West Bengal following the tragic collapse of a warehouse in Taratala, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed sharp criticism at the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing them of corrupt practices and irregularities that contributed to this disaster.

Addressing the State Assembly, Adhikari stated, “Taking money everywhere has turned the City of Joy into a City of Death. This [accident] is the result of your sins.” He pointed fingers at Firhad Hakim, the former Mayor of Kolkata, alleging that he had approved the flawed design of the collapsed structure. The Chief Minister emphasized that “No one will be spared” in the investigation.

Adhikari insisted that the building’s planning was legally compromised, highlighting the necessity of a ‘kali’ signature for approvals from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. This reference was to Kalicharan Banerjee, who served as the Officer on Special Duty to the former Mayor. “Don’t we know what was happening at KMC? If Kali is picked up [arrested], everything will come out,” he commented, adding that Banerjee has been implicated in numerous corruption allegations.

As the controversy escalated, police took action by arresting Kalicharan Banerjee in connection with the warehouse collapse. This development further complicates the political standing of Firhad Hakim, who has recently shifted allegiance from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to a group of rebellious MLAs led by Opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee. Notably, Hakim has been attempting to gain favor with the BJP, even instructing their newly elected MLAs on State Assembly procedures.

Chief Minister Adhikari’s remarks also referenced Camac Street, a known operational base for TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, and it was noted that an FIR against Kalicharan Banerjee was filed during the previous TMC administration.

In the midst of this political turmoil, Kunal Ghosh, a loyalist of Mamata Banerjee and TMC MLA, stated that if former Mayor Hakim was implicated in corruption, he should face arrest. Another TMC leader, Mahua Moitra, questioned the fairness of the Chief Minister’s allegations against Hakim, pointing out the apparent hypocrisy in arresting opposition leaders swiftly over minor offenses while similar action has not been taken in the case involving the fatalities from the warehouse collapse.

This situation not only underscores the strained relations among political factions in West Bengal but also highlights significant concerns regarding accountability in public safety and governance.

Published – June 26, 2026 03:08 am IST