WEST Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what she called a courtesy meeting. This is the first official meeting between Prime Minister and Banerjee in the national capital after she became Chief Minister of West Bengal for the third time after stunning victory in Assembly polls. The meeting, held at Prime Minister’s residence, lasted for around 45 minutes. It is learnt that during the meeting, Banerjee discussed COVID situation in the State and demanded more vaccines and medicines for the State. After meeting with the Prime Minister, Banerjee said, “It was a courtesy meeting.

 

I told the Prime Minister about need of more vaccines and medicines in the West Bengal. I also raised the pending issue of change of the name of the state on which the Prime Minister said he will see.” In July, 2018, West Bengal Assembly passed a resolution to change the name of the State to Bangla. Banerjee also discussed several different projects of the State and tax issues. Earlier she met Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath. Banerjee’s meeting with Opposition leaders is being seen as an attempt to bring all the Opposition parties together before 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

 

She is also likely to meet NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday. Unity of Oppn parties will take shape on its own, says Mamata: Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the unity of Opposition parties will take shape on its own. Banerjee, who is in the national capital, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him to give her state more coronavirus vaccines based on its population.