TMC cautions minister for comments against cabinet colleague over cyclone Amphan handling

Trinamool Congress leadership has cautioned senior party leader and minister Sadhan Pande and asked him t to publicly express views against party, days after he blamed TMC-run Kolkata Municipal Corporation for "lack of planning" in dealing with cyclone Amphan.

infighting within ruling TMC over response to rampaging cyclone was out in open on Tuesday after Pande hit out at KMC for failing to effectively deal with crisis.

According to TMC sources on Thursday, Pande's comments didn't go down well with party top brass, which decided to caution him for time being. "He has been cautioned and told t to express his views publicly. If he has something to say, he can say it within party. Our state government is battling dual crisis of COVID and cyclone Amphan; this is t right time to fight among ourselves," a senior TMC leader said.

Pande was unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, Pande's bete-ire in party- TMC MLA Paresh Pal- said he would organise a protest march against him (Pande) once lockdown is over.

infighting within Trinamool Congress has surfaced amid sporadic protests over demands for restoration of power and water supply in several cyclone-hit parts of West Bengal. Cyclone Amphan has claimed 86 lives in state so far.

While talking to reporters earlier this week, state Consumer Affairs Minister Pande said crisis could have been handled in a much better way. "Had re been proper planning, cyclone crisis could have been averted in a much better way. re was proper planning. ne of us were consulted on how this crisis could be dealt with in a much better ways," Pande said.

"Anybody who fails to perform should resign from his post. chairman of KMC didn't call any meeting of MLAs of city. Firhad Hakim should have consulted his predecessor Sovan Chatterjee," he alleged.

Senior TMC leader and Chairman of Kolkata Municipal Corporation board of administrators, Firhad Hakim, hit back immediately by saying that instead of criticising KMC, Pande should have come forward with an alternative plan. "Why is he criticising w? What was he doing since last week? He should have come to KMC with an alternative plan. All of our officials and staff are busy in restoration work because we believe it is easier to criticise than to work," he said.

Hakirf was appointed as chairman of board of administrators on May 7.