KOLKATA - Lawmakers of the Left Front in West Bengal took to the streets on Monday to collect funds from the willing public to help the victims of cyclone Aila in the state.

“The government from the very first day has come forward with all their resources for the flood victims. They have appealed to the people of Bengal and the Government to lend their support so that post-flood rehabilitation programme can take place in the area,” said Mohammed Masiha, Chief Whip, Left Front, West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is also going all out to lambaste the State Government.

The TMC has alleged that the state disaster management system had crashed under the onslaught of Aila and demanded that all Central Government aid be routed directly to the affected people bypassing the state administration.

The TMC had also boycotted an all-party meeting that was convened by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Sunday evening.

However, unfazed by the stand taken by the TMC, the Left leaders, still smarting from the defeat in the recent Lok Sabha polls, are continuing with their efforts to show their interest and concern for the plight of the commoners.

This fund collection ‘Padyatra’ could be one such effort.

The deadly cyclone Aila that hit the state recently caused immense damage to life and property.

Reportedly, more then 5.1 million people have been affected by the cyclone.lthough relief work is on in full swing, several parts of Sundarbans and also South and North 24 Parganas are still under water.

The cyclone also affected several areas in Malda and Jalpaiguri regions in Bengal. (ANI)