Suvendu Adhikari makes big statement as CM Mamata makes PM Modi wait for Cyclone review

Hitting out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's 'behaviour' with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on his visit to West Bengal to review the impact of Cyclone Yaas, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari has said that it marks a 'dark day' in India's long-standing ethos of cooperative federalism. Terming Mamata Banerjee's short meeting with the PM as a reflection of her 'dictatorial nature and lack of respect for constitutional values,' the now BJP leader recalled that none of the non-NDA Chief Ministers has ever 'behaved' like Mamata Banerjee during PM Modi's previous visits to review floods and cyclones. 

Moreover, in one of his many tweets aimed at the Bengal CM, Suvendu claimed that the TMC administration under Mamata Banerjee was unable to manage relief for Cyclone Amphan which had hit the state last year. "Rampant loot plagued the relief works. Even now, West Bengal is suffering and the state government is in absent mode," Suvendu said on Friday. Notably, Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in the recently concluded Bengal Assembly Elections when the two locked horns in Nandigram, leaving the TMC chief with no seat in the Assembly. 

As per sources, CM Mamata Banerjee cut short her meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday and rushed through the proceedings even after arriving 30 minutes late. Sources have informed that Mamata Banerjee and her Chief Secretary arrived 30 minutes late for the review meeting despite being present around the same premises. Governor Jagdeep Dhankar was also present in the review meeting chaired by the Prime Minister. The TMC chief appeared to hurry through the meeting as she handed over the review documents and left citing other commitments. Significantly, this was the first meeting between PM Modi and Mamata Banerjee since TMC's recent victory in the Assembly Elections and amid the ongoing Centre-State spat. 

Governor Jagdeep Dhankar also criticised Mamata Banerjee, adding that it would have served the interests of the state and its people for CM and officials to attend the review meeting.  "Confrontational stance ill serves interests of State or democracy. Non-participation by CM and officials not in sync with constitutionalism or rule of law," the Governor tweeted. Meanwhile, highlighting PM Modi's respect for cooperative federalism, BJP National President JP Nadda too slammed the Bengal CM, stating Mamata Banerjee's 'tactics and petty politics' have once again come to haunt the people of the state. 

Reasoning her short meeting with the Prime Minister, CM Mamata Banerjee said that she submitted the damage assessment report asking for Rs 20,000 crore for the damages and left after taking PM Modi's permission.  The Bengal CM said that she met PM Modi after having review meetings in Hingalganj & Sagar to assess the impact of the cyclone. She said that a disaster report has been handed over to the Prime Minister as she has now proceeded to review the relief and restoration work at Digha. 

PM Modi announces Rs 1,000 crore relief

Following his visit to Cyclone Yaas-affected states PM Modi on Friday announced financial assistance of ₹ 1,000 crores to Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand for immediate relief activities. An inter-ministerial team is set to visit the states to assess the full extent of damage, the PMO has informed. The Prime Minister also announced ₹ 2 lakh each for the families of each of those who died in cyclone-related incidents. A sum of ₹ 50,000 would be paid to those injured in such incidents. 

Earlier in the day, PM Narendra Modi undertook an aerial survey to review the situation in the aftermath of Cyclone Yaas. The aerial survey covered parts of Odisha and West Bengal. In Odisha, PM Modi advised the concerned authorities during the review meeting to ensure that normal life is restored in the affected areas as soon as possible. 

In Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee held a review meeting on Wednesday after the cyclone completed its landfall process with District Magistrates and Disaster Management Committee at Nabanna to take stock of the situation and assess damages. "We have sent relief worth Rs 1 crore to areas affected by the cyclone and high tide. Will visit areas affected by the cyclone and high tide in Purba Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas on Friday," Mamata Banerjee had said.