Farmers Movement Archive

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee set for 4-day Delhi trip from today, may call on PM Narendra Modi

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will leave for New Delhi on Monday on a four-day trip in which she is expected to meet political leaders ahead of Parliament’s winter session beginning November 29. Chances of calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also not ruled out as the CM wants to take up the issue of pending financial dues to the state as also the extension of BSF’s jurisdiction. Though Banerjee had written to Modi in October-end on the BSF issue, the Centre was yet to respond. The Bengal assembly had, meanwhile, moved a resolution against the Centre’s decision. The CM might speak to several opposition leaders on the BSF issue to forge a united stand in Parliament as Trinamool Congress had described the decision as an attack on the federal structure and usurping the powers of states. Trinamool leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandyopadhyay had said they would be making it an issue in Parliament. Sources hinted Banerjee might also meet a senior BJP leader who is likely to join Trinamool. Even a BSP leader might meet her, they said. During Banerjee’s last visit to Delhi in July, she had met several senior political leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and PM Modi. This time too meetings with several Congress leaders, including Sonia, might happen. Banerjee had also raised the issue of the Centre creating a kitty from cess on petro products that she had wanted to be shared among the states. This too she might discuss with opposition leaders. The CM might meet leaders of the farmers’ agitation. She had congratulated protesting farmers after the PM declared the decsion to repeal three farm laws. After returning from Delhi, Banerjee may visit Mumbai to rope in investors for the Bengal Global Business Summit in early December. On that trip, she might meet NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. After returning to ofice for the third time in a row, Banerjee is focusing on industrialisation and employment generation, for which she might meet several industrialists, including Mukesh Ambani.

The Times of India

2021-11-22

Kolkata