NE NEWS SERVICE
KOLKATTA, JAN 11
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Raj Bhawan in Kolkatta on Saturday amidst ongoing protests across the city against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Though the agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed, it is considered to be a politically significant meeting between the two leaders took place a short time after PM Modi arrived in the city for a two-day visit.
The meeting comes at a time when new citizenship law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pressing for its implementation.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Mamata Banerjee vehemently opposed the BJP and policies of the central government.
PM Modi is in Kolkata to take part in 150th anniversary celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust.
“I am excited to be in West Bengal today and tomorrow. I am delighted to be spending time at the Ramakrishna Mission and that too when we mark Swami Vivekananda’s Jayanti. There is something special about that place,” PM Narendra Modi said in a tweet.
I am excited to be in West Bengal today and tomorrow. I am delighted to be spending time at the Ramakrishna Mission and that too when we mark Swami Vivekananda’s Jayanti. There is something special about that place.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2020
Amidst the uproar over the Citizenship Amendment Act, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kolkata on Saturday.
PM Modi will take part in the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Kolkata Port Trust. Apart from this, four historic buildings that have been renovated will also be dedicated to the nation.
During his visit, PM Modi will also inaugurate a light and sound show at Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge).
Modi to stay at Belur Math tonight
Modi will take water route from Millennium Park to Belur Math in Howrah and stay there tonight. Narendra Modi is the first prime minister to visit Belur Math.
After the programmes in Kolkata, on the way to Belur Math by boat. Have a look at the beautiful Rabindra Setu! pic.twitter.com/vJsq8JSQ7J
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2020
Being a follower of the preaching of Swami Vivekananda, PM Modi will spend the night and morning at the Belur Math. During the visit, PM Modi will dedicate four heritage buildings – the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House and the Victoria Memorial Hall to the nation.
On Sunday, PM Narendra Modi will address students from the Belur Math.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) students’ wing TMCP, as well as the Left Front activists have begun their protest against the amended Citizenship Act in various parts of West Bengal in view of PM Modi’s visit to Bengal.
Glad to be in Kolkata, a dynamic and energetic city. Addressing a programme. https://t.co/Opl7D6i7wm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2020
TMC’s students’ wing began their ‘dharna’ against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) on Friday at Rani Rashmoni Road in Kolkata.
Adequate security arrangements have been made for PM Modi’s scheduled visit to Kolkata.
