Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Odisha and West Bengal on Friday (28 May).
 
After that he chaired review meetings to assess the impact of cyclone Yaas.
 
The PM also undertook an aerial survey of the areas affected by the cyclone in both states.
 
During the PM’s visit to West Bengal, Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee arrived late to the cyclone review meeting by 30 minutes delay despite being in the same premises.
[splco_Shortcodesspacer]
“You wanted to meet me that is why I have come today. Me and my Chief Secretary want to submit this report to you. Now we have a meeting at Digha so we seek your permission to leave,” the Chief Minister was quoted as saying.
 
This was their first face-to-face since the acrimonious Bengal election campaign and Mamata Banerjee’s third straight victory.
 
The alleged snub took place when Prime Minister landed at Kalaikunda airbase in Bengal after an aerial survey of cyclone damage in the state and in Odisha.
 
Mamata Banerjee’s office says she had informed the Centre about her meeting but was asked to wait for PM Modi at the airbase, which enraged her.
 
Local media reported that the West Bengal CM upon entering the review meet has handed over papers related to the cyclone impact and left the meeting hall.
 
“These empty chairs were reserved for Mamata Banerjee , her home secretary and chief secretary but she did not let anyone attend the meeting.
 
The presentation was loaded on the screen but no one presented it before the PM,” Senior editor of Times Now Megha Prasad said in a tweet.
 
Reacting to this development, Governor of West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar said “It would have served the interests of the state and its people for CM and officials to attend Review Meet by PM. Confrontational stance will not serve the interests of the State or democracy.
 
Non participation by CM and officials not in sync with constitutionalism or rule of law.”
 
On the other hand, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik  said that the state government has not sought any immediate financial assistance to avoid burdening the central government amid Covid19 pandemic.
 
The CM Naveen Patnaik said that Odisha will manage through its own resources to tide over the crisis.