Chennai: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is flying to Chennai to attend a birthday function of West Bengal Governor La Ganesan's elder brother on November 3 and to meet Tamil Nadu CM Stalin on November 2. The meeting is set to take place while speculations are rife that she could discuss 2024 Lok Sabha poll strategies with the DMK president.
Talking to reporters, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "Today (Tuesday) I will meet Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin. He is my political friend. It's a courtesy meeting as I'm going to Chennai. Whenever two political persons meet there are related things that get discussed."
She is expected to then stay at a hotel for the night in Chennai.
Later, she is expected to take part in the birthday function of La Ganesan’s brother on November 3. She will also meet politicians who attend the function.
However, Mamata's visit received the wrath of the Opposition who criticized her for traveling to Chennai to attend a family function of a 'temporary' Governor with taxpayer's money.
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According to PTI, West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "I see no reason why Banerjee is going to Chennai to attend the birthday party of one of the family members of the governor."
"I think this is a ploy to develop a good relationship with the Centre so that West Bengal does not get another Jagdeep Dhankhar as its governor," he said.
CPI-M leader Sujan Chakraborty said: "I don't see any logic behind a chief minister visiting the family programme of the governor on taxpayers' money. She is actually escaping the state when job aspirants are holding demonstrations demanding employment. She is not at all bothered about them and is fleeing from reality."
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in Chennai has inundated homes and resulted in waterlogging on arterial roads. The rains are also expected to continue for the next three days.