West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a two-day tour of the state. The meeting took place at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata and following it, CM Banerjee stressed that the meeting was "not political" citing protocol.


“I am here as part of a courtesy protocol. It is a protocol that if the Prime Minister or President visits the state, the Chief Minister has to meet them. Whatever I have to say, I will do it in a political meeting, this meeting was not political,” said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee about her meeting, as per news agency PTI.






This follows Mamata Banerjee's previous meeting with PM Modi in New Delhi last December, where she advocated for the release of West Bengal's dues from the Centre, amounting to Rs 1.18 lakh crore.


The state government recently initiated the payment of pending dues to around 30 lakh MGNREGA workers, totaling Rs 2,700 crore, which had been withheld since March 2022. The delay in disbursing West Bengal's MGNREGA dues has been a significant topic in the state's political discussions over the past year.


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PM Modi Slams TMC Over Sandeshkhali Case, Party MP Responds


Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the TMC government in West Bengal, condemning the atrocities on women in Sandeshkhali. Speaking at a public meeting in Arambag, Hooghly district, Modi claimed that the nation is seething with anger over the issue and criticised the opposition bloc for their silence.


Modi highlighted the significance of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, urging the people of Bengal to respond to the injustices they have faced. He stated, "Amid achievements, the entire country is watching the situation of Bengal today. The whole country is sad and angry after seeing what TMC, which beats the drum of Maa, Mati, and Manush, has done to the sisters of Sandeshkhali."


In response to Modi's remarks, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose criticised the Prime Minister and said, “The state government here in Bengal is arresting all the culprits responsible for the crimes irrespective of religion. You (PM Modi) have made communal references. What steps have you taken to protect the dignity of women wrestlers who protested against your party MP?”






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