Though the newly-elected Trinamool Congress MPs are away in Delhi to attend the first session of parliament, they are keeping a close watch on every little development in their constituency in the aftermaths of Cyclone Aila.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee gathers daily updates from her MPs making sure that they do not lose touch with the people at the ground level at any point.

Most of the Trinamool MPs will be coming back to their constituencies soon after the President’s speech on Thursday. “I am in Delhi but my heart lies with the cyclone-affected people in my constituency. I came to Delhi on Monday morning and will be leaving soon after the President’s speech on Thursday. I am here because of a compulsion,” says Dr Tarun Mondol, MP from Joynagar.

He added that due to inadequate infrastructure in the area, there is an acute shortage of drinking water. “There is no system for the distribution of relief materials. We have suggested that there should be a committee of local people for distribution of relief materials. But the government has not taken any steps in this regard,” he adds.

Dr Mondol says that from Friday onwards he will be visiting the affected areas again. “I have arranged for some voluntary teams and medicines as I come from doctors’ fraternity,” he says.

MP from Uluberia Sultan Ahmed is in constant touch with the district administration to ensure there is progress in the repair of the embankment at Udaynarayanpur. “From Friday onwards, I have to visit the affected people in Amta, Tokapur and other areas,” he says. C M Jatua, the MP from Mathurapur, says he is trying to do everything he can to ensure rehabilitation of cyclone-affected people. “I get day-to-day reports from the zilla parishad chairperson and in turn pass it on to Mamata Banerjee. I am in touch with the district magistrate so that relief reaches the people as soon as possible,” he says. Jatua will be visiting affected areas like Sagar and Patharpratima from Sunday.

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