KOLKATA 18 JUNE: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday put national interest before politics and it was decided that she would attend the all party meeting over video conference convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of Ladakh face-off with China.
Political analysts are of the opinion that one year ahead of the Assembly election in the state, the party does not want to be dubbed as ‘anti-national’. So, they are taking all efforts to remain in the limelight in the issue of national interest.
Amol Mukherjee, former principal of Presidency College and a senior political analyst said: “With the Assembly elections drawing near, the TMC does not want to be dubbed as ‘anti-national and so they have decided to join the all party meet convened by Prime Minister. Although the chief minister during the press conference showed reluctance to join the all party meet, later she decided to join it. This shows that she does not want to be branded as anti-national.”
On Wednesday during a press conference Banerjee said that although politically TMC may differ from the Opposition parties, in the issue of foreign policy, the party will follow the lines of Government of India.
“This is an unfortunate incident. Our party always puts national interest first. We stand with the Union government in this matter. I salute the valour and the courage of the Indian soldiers who were martyred in the Galwan valley.” added Banerjee on Wednesday.
Banerjee expressed disappointment after her name was dropped from speakers list on Wednesday during the interaction of chief ministers with Prime Minister meeting.
It may be mentioned that chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decided not to join the interaction meeting of Prime Minister with all the chief ministers on Wednesday via video-conference after her name was not in the list of speakers .
When reporters asked her why the Center dropped her name from the speaker list, Banerjee said “ I do not want to make any political comment. This is not the time to play politics. Whatever they felt right, they have done it. I do not have any regret for this . Joining in a meeting or not joining in a meeting does not hold any importance.”