Ego Clash Of Modi And Mamata Touch Peaks

The political slugfest between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to rage by the day, even in the face of the a natural calamity striking the state.

After conducting an aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas in Odisha and Bengal, Modi reached landed at Kalaikunda Air Force Station in Midnapore to hold a meeting with Banerjee, other officials and assess the damage due to the cyclone.

Surprisingly, none of the officials turned up to welcome the PM nor did they attend the review meeting held by him. However, Modi held a meeting with Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar and a very few higher officials.

In a rush

In fact, Modi waited for nearly half-an-hour before Mamata rushed to the spot. She handed him over a few documents relating to loss caused by the cyclone, saying that she and the Chief Secretary came there because Modi called her. In no time, Mamata told him that she had to tour Digha and sought permission to leave the place.

It was also learnt that Mamata did not allow the CS and principal secretary of Home department to make a PowerPoint presentation on the loss due to the cyclone.

Banerjee’s demeanour triggered severe criticism from the BJP and Centre. “Probably, this is the first time that the CM of a state and her officials abstained from attending a meeting held by the PM in their own place. The incident reflects the arrogance and negligence of Banerjee,” they said.

Boycott the PM

The BJP leaders took exception to Mamata keeping the PM in waiting for her and said that it smacked of disrespect to the Constitutional head. Such acts can also have grave repercussions as it is the Centre which has to release money for a majority of the welfare schemes and also in case of natural calamities. Maintaining cordial relations with the Centre is important for any state as the latter needs to seek permissions for many administrative procedures according to the Constitution, the BPP leaders said.

Governor Dhankar termed the move as ‘boycotting the PM’ and also said that failure to attend the meet was ‘not in tune with the democratic principles’ and also in violation of the rule of law.

But, Mamata defended herself saying that she had already informed the authorities that she cannot attend the meeting.

Centre recalls Chief Secretary

Political analysts felt that inviting Opposition leader Subhendu Adhikari too for the review meeting could have irked Mamata. Adhikari said that the PM invited both the CM and Opposition leader in Odisha too and that they both attended the conference.

Meanwhile, speaking at Digha, she told the cyclone-hit victims that she had met the PM and informed him of the ground realities in writing. She claimed that she also sought a relief of
Rs 20,000-crore package.

In this background, within hours of Mamata refraining from attending the PM’s meet, the Centre recalled Chief Seceratary Alapan Bandhopadhyay, whose term was extended for four months just three days ago, after his retirement.