Mamata Makes PM Modi Wait For 30 Minutes As She Arrives Late At Cyclone Meet Despite Being In Same Building

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Odisha and West Bengal on Friday (28 May). He chaired review meetings to assess the impact of cyclone Yaas. The PM also undertook an aerial survey of the areas affected by the cyclone in both states.

During the PM’s visit to West Bengal, Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee arrived late to the cyclone review meeting by 30 minutes despite being in the same premises.

ANI reported that the West Bengal CM upon entering the review meet has handed over papers related to the cyclone impact and left the meeting hall.

“These empty chairs were reserved for Mamata Banerjee , her home secretary and chief secretary but she did not let anyone attend the meeting. The presentation was loaded on the screen but no one presented it before the PM,” Senior editor of Times Now Megha Prasad said in a tweet.

Reacting to this development, Governor of West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar said “It would have served the interests of the state and its people for CM and officials to attend Review Meet by PM. Confrontational stance will not serve the interests of the State or democracy. Non participation by CM and officials not in sync with constitutionalism or rule of law.”

On the other hand, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik expressed gratitude to the PM for visiting Odisha in the aftermath of Cyclone Yaas and said that the state government has not sought any immediate financial assistance to avoid burdening the central government amid Covid19 pandemic.

The CM Naveen Patnaik said that Odisha will manage through its own resources to tide over the crisis.