Mamata May Skip PM Modi's Kolkata Metro Event Over Bengali Migrant Workers' Treatment: Report

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is unlikely to attend the inauguration of three new routes of the Kolkata metro by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 August, despite receiving an invitation from the Centre, reported Business Standard.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a letter dated 14 August, invited Banerjee to the event, which will see the launch of the Green Line’s Sealdah–Esplanade section, the Orange Line’s Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)–Beleghata stretch, and the Yellow Line’s Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar (airport) corridor. The inauguration also includes a new subway at Howrah metro station.

A top state government official said Banerjee decided to skip the programme due to alleged harassment of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states.

“There have been charges of linguistic discrimination and the harassment of the Bengalis in several states, with the alleged support of the BJP and the central government. Protests are underway to oppose such discriminatory treatment being meted out to Bengali migrants. In such a situation, the chief minister does not wish to share the stage with officials from the central government,” the official stated.

He also noted that these metro projects were originally planned and funded when Banerjee served as the railway minister. “After years of slow progress, the BJP is now inaugurating them before the elections to claim credit. The chief minister was only given a routine invitation via letter,” he added.

Banerjee has previously attended central government events “to respect the constitutional protocol,” but the official claimed that BJP supporters turned such occasions into political platforms, prompting her decision to stay away this time.

Also Read: Prime Minister Modi To Inaugurate Three Kolkata Metro Stretches On 22 August