West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting on Monday, and, perhaps was the loudest too.
Mamata Banerjee on Monday told PM Modi that West Bengal is being “unnecessarily targeted” over its handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
Banerjee, during PM Modi’s virtual meeting with the chief ministers, said that her state is doing its best to combat and contain the spread of coronavirus and that “Centre should not play politics” in this crucial time.
She also said that West Bengal is surrounded by international borders and other bigger states which is why it has multiple challenges to deal with.
Banerjee highlighted the “contradictions” in the Centre’s approach to tackling the outbreak.
“On one hand the Centre wants the lockdown to be enforced strictly, and on the other it is resuming train services and reopening land borders,” sources quoted her as having told the meeting while presenting her views on whether the lockdown should be extended beyond May 17.
It was not immediately known whether she spoke in favour of lifting the lockdown or extending it.
She suggested that states be allowed to decide on which sectors to open and which to keep shut keeping in mind the situation on the ground.
“We want to fight the pandemic alongside the central government. But Bengal has been unnecessarily targeted politically. Instead of shifting the onus on the states, the Centre should come out with a clear strategy on the way forward,” she told the meeting.
The chief minister also asked the centre to release the legitimate financial dues to states.
Banerjee even hit out at Home Minister Amit Shah, saying she fails to understand why his letters reach media before reaching the state.
“I respect him, but, I fail to understand why his letters reach media before reaching us. There are new guidelines being formulated every day. And, there are officials sent to Bengal only to bother officials in the state,” Mamata Banerjee said
She also demanded that the Centre formulate a “clear strategy” to fight the disease, sources in the state’s ruling party said.
