File Photo: Actress and BJP Leader Rupa Ganguly
Communist Party of India (Marxist) today stood by BJP leader Rupa Ganguly, who was allegedly heckled while distributing relief materials to flood-affected villagers, saying the Opposition also had the right to pitch in to help affected people.
"A leader was heckled while trying to distribute relief materials. It is not acceptable," CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra told newspersons referring to the alleged heckling of Ms Ganguly.
"NGOs or any other organisation have the right to give away relief materials to people affected by a natural calamity, one should not do politics over it," Mr Mishra said.
Ms Ganguly, an actress known for her role as Draupadi in 'Mahabharat', was allegedly heckled at Habra Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas district while distributing relief yesterday.
She had alleged that ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters were involved in the incident.
Regarding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's preponing her return from her UK tour by a day in wake of cyclone threat, Mr Mishra said "I appreciate that she has come back a few hours before scheduled time.
"But I can assure her that she will not miss Thames (River) with so many Thames (water-logged streets) flowing in the city," he quipped.
Many parts of the city remained water-logged due to heavy night-long rain. Kolkata recorded 133.6 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours till 8.30 am due to Cycle 'Komen'.