West Bengal CM Changes Travel Plans Due to Heavy Rainfall

Chief Minister's First Visit to Murshidabad

Kolkata. Due to the incessant heavy rainfall, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari canceled his scheduled air travel and opted for a road trip to Murshidabad on Friday. This marks his inaugural visit to Murshidabad since taking office as Chief Minister. A senior official indicated that the travel plans were altered in light of adverse weather conditions, and after reviewing security arrangements, the decision was made to proceed by road.

Impact of Monsoon on Daily Life

The ongoing monsoon rains have significantly disrupted daily life across large parts of West Bengal. In the northern region of Cooch Behar, a record 143 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours as of Friday morning. Given the severe weather, officials noted that the initial plan for the Chief Minister to travel by air was unfeasible due to the continuous downpour. Consequently, after assessing the situation, it was decided to travel by road, ensuring all necessary security measures were in place.

Scheduled Meetings During the Visit

During this visit, the Chief Minister is set to participate in an organizational meeting of his party at a hotel in Baharampur. Following this, he will chair an administrative review meeting at Rabindra Sadan located there. Additionally, in the afternoon, he is scheduled to address a public gathering in Reginagar.

Political Significance of Reginagar Event

The upcoming event in Reginagar is considered politically significant. This area is known as the stronghold of Humayun Kabir, the founder of the Aam Janata Uplift Party (AJUP), who has recently been in the spotlight for his controversial and provocative remarks. The Chief Minister had previously criticized Kabir in the assembly, accusing him of making statements aimed at polarizing voters.

Allegations and Reactions

The Chief Minister alleged that these actions were being taken with the upcoming assembly by-elections in mind, especially since the Reginagar seat is vacant and there is a possibility of Kabir's son contesting from there. In response to these allegations, Kabir clarified that his comments were not directed against the government but were aimed at those who became BJP leaders in Murshidabad after the election results and were threatening him. The Chief Minister informed the assembly that two cases have been registered against Kabir at the Shaktipur and Reginagar police stations, leading to speculation about the legislator's potential arrest.