Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate three new metro routes in Kolkata on August 22, with a series of programmes scheduled across the city throughout the day. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will not be attending the event despite being invited, said sources in the Trinamool Congress.
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According to sources, Mamataโs decision is not spontaneous but a โwell-calculated political moveโ, driven by policy differences and the ruling TMCโs strategy ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
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Party leaders claim the central government has consistently deprived Bengal of its rightful dues, practised what they describe as โlanguage terrorโ against Bengali speakers and is inaugurating projects primarily for political mileage.
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“The harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states under the guise of action against Bangladeshi infiltrators will be a major election issue,โ a senior TMC leader said, adding, โMamata Banerjeeโs decision to skip the Prime Ministerโs programme ensures that our attack on the BJP over this issue remains sharp. Sharing the dais with Modi could blunt that narrative.โ
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Also read:ย Mamata blames police, IB wing for rising murder cases in Bengal
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TMC has also drawn attention to Mamataโs record as Railway Minister, when she introduced new routes, projects and employment initiatives in Bengal. The party alleges that the BJP is now reviving and delaying those projects only to inaugurate them ahead of elections for political advantage.
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“They are withholding Bengalโs funds, depriving the state financially and then using incomplete projects for election optics. On top of that, insulting Bengali speakers by labelling them as Bangladeshis is unacceptable. The Chief Minister will not give credit from a BJP platform,โ the TMC source added.
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Political observers note that the TMC is preparing to consolidate Bengali-speaking voters as a counter to BJPโs strategy of highlighting illegal infiltration. Skipping the Prime Ministerโs metro event, they argue, signals Mamataโs intent to keep the political battle sharply defined ahead of the state elections due in 2026.
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Moreover, following the inauguration of three new Metro line, the Prime Minister is likely to hold a rally in Dumdum area on the same day, say sources.
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