Hindustan Times (Jalandhar)

As Didi meets Modi to talk developmen­t...

- Saubhadra Chatterji letters@hindustant­imes.com

NEWDELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting on Thursday that her state’s experience of sharing water “has not been a happy one.”

While Banerjee didn’t refer to the proposed Teesta treaty — a sore point for Indo-Bangladesh ties — she narrated the problems faced due to differing treaties.

While Banerjee maintains an excellent relationsh­ip with Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina, she asked the Centre to take up the water problems in the state with Dhaka . She also pointed out to the Centre’s unfulfille­d promises of solving the crisis.

During the meeting , which Banerjee insisted was for discussing developmen­t of West Bengal, she demanded release of funds for many projects. “Of the ₹10,500 crore due we have got only ₹2,000 crore so far. I apprised the PM about the ₹8,000 crore that is still due...” she said.

AAP READY TO ATTEND OPPOSITION MEETING

The Aam Admi Party (AAP) meanwhile, indicated that it is willing to attend the Opposition meeting called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi ahead of the Presidenti­al election.

“There is no reason not to attend such a meeting. But I am still unaware if the party has received any invitation or not. If at all, it would have come to the office of the national convener, Arvind Kejriwal or Delhi convener Gopal Rai,” AAP spokespers­on Ashutosh said.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi will host a lunch at her residence before holding a meeting on the Presidenti­al poll.

While most Opposition parties are expected to join the lunch, AAP also indicated that they are willing to attend the meeting convened by the Congress president.

Last week, Kejriwal and Banerjee had a meeting where the Delhi CM was convinced to support the candidate chosen by the Opposition.

 ?? MOHD ZAKIR/HT ?? West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee arrives to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday.
MOHD ZAKIR/HT West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee arrives to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday.

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