Mamata briefs PM, HM on Darjeeling

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday enquired about the Bengal flood situation from Chief minister Mamata Banerjee in an informal chat inside the Parliament house. The Bengal CM minister was in the Capital to attend the swearing-in ceremony of 14th President Ramnath Kovind in the central hall of the Parliament.

When Modi was about to leave the venue after the function got over, he spotted West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee among the attendees. Modi waved to her and the feisty TMC leader promptly responded with a ‘Namaste’. Putting their political acrimony behind, the two moved forward and chatted briefly.

Later the Bengal CM had a one-hour meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence in Akbar Road.

Banerjee later told media persons: “We had detailed discussion over both Darjeeling (Not Gorkha Land) and the flood situation. Rajnathji has been always very positive and helpful. He assured all assistance.”

“Yes, I met Modiji, and he couldn’t provide me time as he had to rush to Gujarat. The situation is grim there and 5 people have already died,” Banerjee said.

She asserted that the state government was doing everything possible to control the floods in Bengal. She has not asked for any Central deployment yet as other states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were grappling with a more grim flood situation. “I have asked Rajnathji to concentrate on vulnerable states first,” Banerjee added.

According to sources, there is a probability of meeting between Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. However, nothing has been confirmed from the party. But, while she was asked about the six Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal, she asserted that if Congress decides to field former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, her party would do not have any problem. “It is the decision of the Congress party and if they field Meira Kumar for the 6th Rajya Sabha seat, TMC will not have any problem.”

Banerjee is likely to return to Kolkata on Wednesday.