Shubhadeep Choudhury
Tribune News Service
Kolkata, May 6
Sparks flew thick and fast in West Bengal today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had a go at each other on a crucial day of polling in the state.
At an election rally in Tamluk, Modi accused Mamata of doing politics over cyclone Fani. He alleged she did not even speak to him when he rang her up to enquire about the calamity.
“I am just back from Odisha after reviewing the post-cyclone situation. I also wanted to speak to the West Bengal Chief Minister to discuss the issue. I called her up, but Didi is so arrogant that she didn’t speak to me. I waited for her call, but she didn’t get back to me,” Modi said.
“Speed-breaker Didi was more interested in doing politics. I wanted to speak to officials, but the government did not allow that,” the PM said.
Earlier, the TMC hit out at Modi for calling up Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Friday instead of talking to the CM to enquire about the ground situation in the wake of the cyclone. At a public meeting at Gopiballabhpur in Jhargram constituency, Mamata said the “expiry Prime Minister” was indulging in petty politics on the cyclone relief issue.
She said her government would not hold a meeting with Modi because she considers him an “expiry PM”.
The Chief Minister said she had stationed herself at Kharagpur as the path of the cyclone was supposed to pass through that area before reaching Bangladesh. She oversaw the disaster preparedness and took care that people were safe.
“When Modi called up, I was not in Kolkata. I was in Kharagpur and so could not speak to him,” Banerjee, who is frequently seen talking on mobile phone, claimed.
‘Didn’t talk to me’
I wanted to speak to CM Mamata Banerjee to discuss the issue (Fani cyclone). I called her up, but Didi is so arrogant she didn’t speak to me. I waited, she didn’t get back. — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
Contest in name of Rajiv Gandhi: Modi
I had called a member of naamdar parivar (dynasty) bhrashtachari (corrupt) no. 1 and some people got such a severe stomach ache. I challenge the Congress to fight elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi when polling takes place in Punjab, Delhi and Bhopal. — Narendra Modi, PM
He hates us, I only have love for him: Rahul
Narendra Modi insulted a martyr (Rajiv Gandhi); no matter how much hatred he has for my family, I only have love for him. — Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief
from The Tribune http://bit.ly/2LnwGV4
via Today’s News Headlines
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