On 'not returning' PM Modi's calls over Cyclone Fani, Mamata Banerjee's curt retort

The political storm brewing over Cyclone ‘Fani’ intensified today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not returning his calls. During a poll rally in Haldia, PM Modi slammed Banerjee for politicising the Cyclone Fani’s relief work. He said that, “Didi is so egoistic” that she didn’t return his calls. It should be noted that the Bengal government had refused to hold a review meet with PM Modi to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Fani. Banerjee, on other hand, in a curt reply said that she was not in Kolkata when the PMO called.

According to news agency PTI, Banerjee reportedly said that she was in Kharagpur when there was calls from Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday tried to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned, a top government official has said. The prime minister then spoke to state governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, the official said.

"Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," the official said. The statement came after the Trinamool Congress hit out at Modi for not talking to Banerjee about the ground situation in the state in wake of the cyclone. The prime minister had tweeted about his discussion with the Governor.

During the Haldia rally, PM Modi alleged that, “People who hail Jai Shree Ram in Bengal are put behind the bars.” “Your one vote will pressurize Didi. Your one vote will show dynastic parties, Leftist and a tyrannical govt their right place. Your one vote will bring back the pride of Haldia. In West Bengal, people have to to pay Trinmool Tolabazi Tax. No one dared to challenge this tax and it only emboldened TMC. But now it won't last long in Bengal,” the Prime Minister added.