Mamata Banerjee Unhappy As She Was Denied Chance To Speak During CMs' Virtual Meeting With PM

Banerjee was not given the chance to speak at the 'Azadi ki Amrit Mahotsav' meeting as her name was not on the list of speakers, according to the top official source

New Delhi: In a move that irked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, she was made to wait for over two hours on Wednesday during a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but was not given a chance to speak, according to a top source at the state secretariat.

Banerjee was not given the chance to speak at the 'Azadi ki Amrit Mahotsav' meeting as her name was not on the list of speakers, told the official to PTI. In response to the meeting, the chief minister has expressed displeasure besides that it anguished the entire state administration, the source said.

Chief ministers of other states were also present in the meeting chaired by the prime minister, according to the official. In a similar incident earlier, Banerjee had accused the Centre of not giving her a chance to speak. It was then a review meeting in May called by the Prime Minister on the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) situation where he had called on the chief ministers.

Banerjee, who felt “insulted”, said instead of sending an official, she was herself present to urge the Centre for Covid-19 vaccines.

PM Modi on Wednesday said the pandemic has taught new lessons and shattered the existing structures which will lead to the emergence of a “new world order” in the post-Covid era, according to a government statement.

Stressing this is an opportune time to set eyes on 2047 when the country will celebrate 100 years of Independence, he said the current generation will be at the helm of affairs then and the nation’s destiny will be in their hands.

At the meeting, culture ministry secretary Govind Mohan gave a presentation on the overview of activities of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, being held to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.