Mamata Banerjee shuts West Bengal-Jharkhand border for 3 days amid flood crisis
thousands of heavy vehicles stuck
Ranchi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered the closure of the interstate border for three days on Thursday evening. Mamata had criticized the Jharkhand government on Friday, claiming that the state's flood-like situation had increased because the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was releasing water from its dam to save Jharkhand. On Thursday evening, the West Bengal government sealed the Dibrugarh check post, causing heavy vehicles from Barakar Bridge to Maithon at NH-19 from Jharkhand.
Mamta has expressed her intention to cut all connections with the DVC, blaming it for the "man-made" floods in Bengal.Additionally, she charged that the Jharkhand government neglected to do dredging at the DVC dams, allowing water to leak out and causing flooding in a number of West Bengal districts.
While expressing outrage at this step taken by the Bengal administration, Jharkhand officials remain silent on the matter. According to government sources, senior authorities have been told about this, but the issue has not yet been handled.
On August 4, the West Bengal Chief Minister posted on X, “Just now, I spoke to the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren ji, and discussed with him the evolving flood situation. I discussed with him the case of sudden and huge release of water from Tenughat, which has already started flooding Bengal. I told him that Jharkhand waters have been flooding Bengal, and this is man-made! I requested him to please take care of this.”
Mamta stated that she has been closely monitoring the situation and has instructed all district magistrates in both South and North Bengal to remain vigilant and manage the calamity over the next three to four days. She emphasized the importance of taking all necessary precautions to prevent any incidents. Meanwhile, Jharkhand officials reported that they had received no prior notice regarding the West Bengal government's border closures.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
