West Bengal Chief Minister is reportedly furious with the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for releasing a significant volume of water without consulting the state government. The unplanned release, which comes amid a state-wide rain forecast, has heightened fears of waterlogging in low-lying areas.
TMC Plans Mass Movement and Gherao
According to sources, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is preparing to launch a major agitation immediately after Lakshmi Puja. The party has issued a strong warning, including the threat to gherao (surround) the DVC office in Kolkata as part of their protest.
Top TMC leaders are framing the DVC’s action as a deliberate attempt to cause a “man-made” flood and a conspiracy by the central government to disrupt the upcoming district-level Durga Puja carnivals. They also plan to escalate their protests against long-standing accusations of central financial neglect and discrimination.
Centre vs. State Face-Off Over DVC
The DVC water release has quickly escalated into a high-stakes Centre vs. State confrontation, a perennial flashpoint in the state’s politics that is likely to intensify in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly Elections.
DVC Denies Allegations:
For its part, the DVC has denied all allegations labelled by the West Bengal government. The centrally administered body maintains that the increased water discharge is a necessary, scientifically managed action taken due to heavy rainfall in the upstream state of Jharkhand to ensure the safety of its dams.
