West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Sunday denied Trinamool Congress’ allegation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called only West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi instead of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to inquire about the ground situation in the wake of cyclone Fani.
The PMO said that two attempts were made on Saturday morning, from the PM's staff, to connect prime minister to the West Bengal CM on phone, but on both occasions, she didn’t return the call.
“The first time, they were told that the CM is on tour and call will be returned. On the second occasion too, it was told by the CM's office, that the call will be returned,” News agency ANI quotes PMO source as saying.
“Attention has been drawn to reports in a section of media, that TMC has expressed its displeasure at PM Modi speaking only to West Bengal Governor, about the post-Fani situation in the state. TMC have claimed that the PM had called Odisha and not West Bengal Chief Minister. The claim is incorrect,” the PMO added.
The Trinamool Congress on Saturday hit out at PM Modi for calling Tripathi instead of talking to Mamata Banerjee.
"This is an attack on a federal structure and a deviation from the Constitution. By calling the Governor he has acted as leader of BJP and not as a Prime Minister. How can he deny the mandate of our people? Mamata Banerjee is the elected chief minister of Bengal. This is unfortunate." TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.
