After several statements against the Indian PM and current ruling party BJP, TMC supremo finally met PM Narendra Modi at the 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, sometime around 4 pm. Labeling the meeting as a “courtesy” one, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she and the PM discussed about the current vaccination needs in West Bengal, and about the Pegasus snooping row.
Details
Even for a politically uninitiated Indian, the row between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and current Indian PM Narendra Modi would be something he must know about. If not the nitty gritty of the conflict between the two sides, he would know about the gory accusations both sides fling at each other.
The CM Banerjee VS PM Modi Conflicts Recap
From calling PM Modi a “shameless PM”, to meeting farmer leader Rakesh Tikait and saying that “Modi has to be removed from power”, to claiming that BJP’s allegations on the post-poll violence in West Bengal were “gimmicks”, Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee has emerged as a force unlike any other against PM Modi. Meanwhile, PM Modi’s own ‘Didi o Didi’, comment during the BJP’s election campaign in April painted him in the same paint as Banerjee.
Two Strong Forces Finally Meet at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg
After all the verbal attacks for months, the two forces finally met today at PM Modi’s residence 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. This was the first official meeting between the CM and the PM since both led an election campaign for their parties at the West Bengal Assembly Elections. CM Banerjee did meet the PM at the Kalaikunda Air Base for a brief period for Yass storm review in May, but then left early, causing another row between her party and the BJP.
Also Read: West Bengal Chief Secretary Recalled by Centre after Modi-Mamata meeting conflict
Was a “courtesy” meeting, Spoke about COVID-19: CM Banerjee
After her meeting with the PM, Banerjee addressed a press conference where she said that the meeting with PM was a “courtesy” meeting as he could only meet him briefly earlier during the super cyclone Yaas meeting. Further, she said how the two spoke about the vaccination drive in West Bengal. She said how West Bengal needs more vaccines.
On the West Bengal Naming Issue
She also briefed the media that she spoke to the PM about the pending issue around West Bengal’s name to which PM said “he will see”. For the uninitiated, the West Bengal assembly had passed a resolution of changing West Bengal’s name to “Bangla”. After the resolution was sent to the Home Ministry, the Union government refused the demand. The BJP-led Union government also added that to change the name of the state, amendment must be made in the Constitution.
Also Read: Mamata Banerjee Claims Poll Violence in West Bengal “BJP’s Gimmick”
“Can’t tell you what he told”: CM Banerjee
Post the PM meeting, the TMC chief also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also call for an all-party meeting regarding the Pegasus snooping scandal. When asked about what PM Modi told her, she was quoted saying-
“I cannot tell you what he said because it would not be right.”
All Mighty Alliance against All Mighty BJP?
CM Banerjee’s meeting with PM Modi comes at a time when political rumour mill is buzzing with Banerjee’s attempts at forming an alliance against the all-mighty Bharatiya Janata Party. Before meeting PM Modi, CM Banerjee also met Congress MP Kamal Nath, and will be meeting Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
TMC Supremo to Meet NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav
Interestingly enough, CM Banerjee is also scheduled to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi and there are also rumours of her being slated to meet NCP Chief Sharad Pawar and other Delhi-based opposition party leaders such as Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav and others.
An Indian Express quoted a senior Trinamool leader saying-
“I think it is clear to everyone in the opposition that 2024 is a very crucial election, and there is a big challenge. It is also a good sign that seriousness has set in now, when there is time to fight, and fall out, and come together; iron out the chinks as they say. With her decisive win of Narendra Modi, Banerjee will have a big role to play.”
