{
  "id": 15543658,
  "title": "Stampede first big test for Suvendu-led govt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/stampede-first-big-test-for-suvendu-led-govt",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T02:13:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/stampede-first-big-test-for-suvendu-led-govt-101792349650726.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The recent Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 19 people and left 25 others injured. This incident has raised questions about accountability under the newly formed Suvendu Adhikari-led government. Suvendu Adhikari, the West Bengal chief minister, ordered a probe and arrests following the disaster, but the BJP faced scrutiny due to the involvement of several of their members in the committee responsible for the incident.\n\nVijay Ojha, the Jorasanko MLA and former chairman of the Chor Bagan Sarbojanin Durgatsav Samity, became the center of controversy after he was unaware of the narrow entry and exit routes at the Chore Bagan pandal, which allegedly violated safety standards. Despite repeated warnings from BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, Ojha claimed he was not aware of the issue.\n\nA letter purportedly written by Jayanta Banerjee, the general secretary of the old committee, indicated that he and seven other members were stepping down from their responsibilities. However, the authenticity of this letter could not be independently verified. Samik Bhattacharya publicly refused an invitation to become the chairman of the College Square Durga Puja Committee on July 15, days before Ojha took over as its chairman.\n\nThe Trinamool Congress (TMC) targeted the BJP government in the aftermath of the stampede, accusing them of mishandling the situation. The BJP defended their actions, stating that Durga Puja is not a political event and that the independence of puja committees should be maintained. The incident has also sparked discussions about the BJP's involvement with Durga Puja, which began in 2020 after the party won a significant number of Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.",
  "summary": "The Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede that left at least 19 dead and 25 injured a day earlier might have dealt a blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), although West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered a probe and arrests, raising questions about accountability under his five-month-old government",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}