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Speaking to News18, Bista accused Mamata Banerjee of allowing her party workers and “infiltrators” to attack BJP leaders instead of focusing on relief operations.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju with BJP MP Raju Bista during a visit to a disaster-hit area, after last week’s devastating landslides and floods, at Mirik, in Darjeeling. (Image: PTI)
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, who has been on the ground in North Bengal since the very first day of the devastating floods, continues to monitor relief work across the region. He is currently accompanying Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to ensure that central assistance reaches the worst-affected areas.
In an exclusive conversation with News18, Bista said that this is a time for unity and joint effort between the Centre and the State. However, he accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of allowing her party workers and “infiltrators” to attack BJP leaders instead of focusing on relief operations. “If this is the condition of elected representatives, what will happen to common people,” he questioned.
Bista also criticised the Chief Minister for not declaring the floods a State Disaster, saying that the decision has deprived North Bengal of central financial assistance that could have aided recovery efforts.
Highlights from Raju Bista’s Interview with News18:
Speaking on the scale of devastation, Bista said, “There has been massive devastation across North Bengal. Both the Centre and the State must come together and work in coordination to help people. I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for constantly monitoring the situation. They have sent Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and we are working on the ground continuously.”
On the attack on BJP leaders, the Darjeeling MP said, “Just look at the condition of Bengal — even a BJP MP and MLA who went to help flood-affected people were attacked. This shows how common citizens are being intimidated here. Instead of standing with the people of the hills, the Chief Minister is doing politics.”
On the attackers, he said, “I am certain that those who carried out these attacks are infiltrators. This must be investigated thoroughly.”
Speaking on Mamata Banerjee’s visit to Khagen Murmu, he said, “Her visit to meet the injured MP was purely political. There was no genuine concern for the victims.”
On relief and compensation, Bista said, “She even forced the families of the deceased to travel and collect compensation. I had requested that the State government declare the floods a State Disaster, but she refused. If it had been declared, we could have received central funds for relief and rehabilitation.”
On law and order in the state, he said, “You can see for yourself — there have been no arrests yet. This reflects the current law-and-order situation in Bengal.”
Speaking on the Governor’s role, Bista said, “The Governor visited North Bengal, and I have spoken to him. It’s good that he is going to meet the President, but now it’s time for action, not just reports.”
On Mamata Banerjee’s accountability, Bista said, “Every time, she blames the Centre, Nepal, or Bhutan. The truth is, her own party workers are involved in illegal mining, which has disturbed the entire ecological balance of this region.”
Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East…Read More
Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East… Read More
October 08, 2025, 12:23 IST
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