Kolkata:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday raised concerns over the stampede in Maha Kumbh, alleging that the authorities in Uttar Pradesh are “not releasing the correct toll”.

Addressing a press conference after the state budget presentation in the West Bengal assembly, Banerjee expressed her frustration over the alleged non-release of the state’s dues by the Centre.

“So many people died in the Maha Kumbh incident, but they are not releasing the correct toll. They have created such hype that a large number of people visited Maha Kumbh but there were no proper arrangements made at the venue.” At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede that broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela last month.

“The Centre has failed to release Bengal’s legitimate dues,” Banerjee claimed, emphasising that the state government has been struggling to receive its rightful funds.

The chief minister also responded to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s comments on Bengal, claiming that these were “biased” and “not based on facts” “Nirmala Sitharaman’s statement against Bengal is biased and not based on facts,” Banerjee claimed.

Sitharaman on Tuesday lashed out at the ruling West Bengal dispensation, alleging that the Trinamool Congress has become a byword for exploitation and the party has institutionalised corruption and gutted institutions.

In her address, Banerjee accused the central government of making empty promises in the union budget.

“The central budget contains only promises. We allocate funds from our own revenue, and what we say in our budget, we deliver,” she stated, highlighting the stark contrast between the state’s approach and the Centre’s alleged unfulfilled commitments.

West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on Wednesday presented a Rs 3.89-lakh crore budget for 2025-26 with a significant focus on social welfare, and announced a four per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees.

Banerjee emphasised the importance of a strong and vibrant federal structure for the country.

“The country cannot be strong without a strong federal structure,” she asserted, underscoring her belief in the significance of state autonomy and a balanced relationship between the Centre and the states.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj attends Patta Abhishek ceremony of Mahant Gopaldas Ji Maharaja during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, on February 1, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

In his first visit to the Maha Kumbh after the January 29 stampede, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday praised the saints for “acting with such restraint” that day as he took a veiled potshot at political opponents, saying they tried to besmirch the glory of the mega event so that it “becomes a matter of great global embarrassment”.

He said this soon after conducting an aerial survey of pilgrim management measures at the Maha Kumbh venue ahead of the February 3 Basant Panchami Amrit snan.

Also read | At the Kumbh Mela, faith and fatalities

After landing in Prayagraj, he directly headed to Sangam Nose, the site of the stampede, to inspect it. He was briefed by Mela Officer Vijay Kiran Anand and DIG Vaibhav Krishna about the incident.

According to official figures, 30 people died and at least 60 were injured in the stampede on Mauni Amavasya.

“On the Mauni Amavasya day during the Amrit Snan, a tragedy unfolded here, and I must compliment the saints and seers on how, under testing circumstances, they acted with such restraint. Faced with the challenge that was there in front of all of us, as some ‘punyatma‘ [blessed souls] became victims of a ‘hadsa‘ [accident]. But the saints acted in much the same way then as a family elder reacts when their family is confronted with some problem,” Adityanath said while addressing a meeting of saints at the Maha Kumbh.

“The family elders remain patient whenever their family faces some challenge. Instead, the elders negotiate the challenge and ensure that the problem is resolved. You must have seen that some opponents of Sanatan Dharma were trying to test the patience of the saints so that the issue [stampede ahead of big Mauni Amavasya Amrit snan] becomes a matter of great global embarrassment,” he said.

The opposition has been criticising Adityanath’s government’s handling and management of the Maha Kumbh and has demanded that the Kumbh management be handed over to the Army.

It has also alleged that the government was concealing figures, a charge that ran parallel to some media reports about more than one stampede taking place at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday.

“I would thus like to greatly appreciate all the saints that the saints paid homage to the blessed souls who lost their lives and also performed their religious obligations towards Ma Ganga and to ensure that the Maha Kumbh continued,” Mr. Adityanath said.

He was referring to the seers and all the 13 Akharas agreeing to postpone their early morning snan on Mauni Amavasya and taking the dip only when the crowd pressure decreased.

The seers also regularly appealed to the devotees to guard against panic and not to concentrate on taking a dip only at Sangam Nose.

Mr. Adityanath credited the saints for their actions and admitted that they have played a big role in the huge pilgrim turnout at the Maha Kumbh since January 13, when the Maha Kumbh that would continue till February 26 began.

“We would also have to guard against those who are trying to mislead (masses) – on all issues pertaining to Sanatan and never feel shy of conspiracy. And this is not just about now, but this trend has been continuing since the days of the Ram Janambhoomi agitation. The respected saints had witnessed their behaviour and character then and now too. We need to guard against such people. Till the time there is respect for saints, the Sanatan Dharma will remain, and this Dharma is essential for the survival of mankind,” he said.

“In the last 19 days, as many as 32 crore devotees have visited the Maha Kumbh. All those who have visited here are singing paeans about Sanatan Dharma, the arrangements, and other things. This is not praise of any individual but of the eternal Sanatan,” Adityanath said.

A government statement said Mr. Adityanath attended the dharma sabha programme organised for the ‘Pattabhishek’ of two revered saints in Sector 22.

Tulsi Peethadheeshwar Jagadguru Swami Ram Bhadracharya formally appointed Santosh Das Satua Baba and Swami Ram Kamalacharya as Jagadgurus.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Adityanath said, “You all are the pillars of Sanatan Dharma. This sacred mission must continue despite challenges, with patience and determination. Sanatan Dharma is the foundation of humanity – if it thrives, human values, humanity, and creation will endure.” He also reviewed the preparations for the upcoming Basant Panchami Amrit Snan and issued necessary instructions to ensure proper arrangements.

On his way back from the incident site, he interacted with thousands of devotees, personally approaching the barricades to check on their well-being.

The devotees greeted him with chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” “Jai Shri Ram,” and “Jai Ganga Maiya”, a government statement said.