<h1>Chief Minister defends festival attendance amid north Bengal floods, blames centre for withholding disaster funds</h1> The state chief minister defended attending a Durga Puja carnival during severe floods and landslides in north Bengal, accusing opposition leaders of politicising the natural disaster and arguing rescue operations could not commence 'in the middle of a deluge.' She said the administration acted promptly, disputed claims of delayed response, and blamed central authorities for withholding disaster funds. Reported casualties ranged from 27 to 32 with several missing, including foreign nationals; the government deployed the NDRF, distributed relief kits, set up community kitchens, and promised short-term jobs for affected families. She warned against environmental degradation and said damage assessments and further relief are ongoing.