West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee unlikely to attend PM Modi’s Kolkata Metro inauguration on August 22

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee unlikely to attend PM Modi’s Kolkata Metro inauguration on August 22
Published on

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to skip the inauguration of three Kolkata Metro projects by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 22, a senior state government official said on Monday.

The official claimed that Banerjee, during her tenure as railway minister, had originally planned these projects. The decision to stay away, he added, comes in the backdrop of alleged harassment of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states.

“There have been repeated charges of linguistic discrimination and harassment of Bengalis in several states, with alleged backing from the BJP and the Centre. In such a situation, the chief minister does not want to share the stage with central officials,” he told PTI.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had invited Banerjee through a letter dated August 14. The projects to be inaugurated include the Sealdah–Esplanade section of the Green Line, the Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)–Beleghata stretch of the Orange Line, and the Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar (airport) section of the Yellow Line.

The official alleged that the projects, initiated during Banerjee’s tenure as railway minister, had seen slow progress for years and were now being inaugurated by the BJP before elections to claim credit.

While the CM has previously attended central events out of respect for protocol, the official said BJP supporters often turned such functions into political rallies. “In view of this past conduct, no option will be given for such disruption this time,” he added.

Herald Goa
www.heraldgoa.in