The recent overseas sojourn undertaken by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has ignited a fiery exchange of words between her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party and the opposing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In what the BJP has labeled a "vacation," Mamata Banerjee's visits to Spain and the UAE have come under scrutiny, particularly given her previous criticisms of Prime Minister Modi's foreign travels.
Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in West Bengal, contended that Mamata Banerjee's foreign visit had yielded no discernible results. He accused the TMC of cozying up to corruption, contrasting it with PM Modi's overseas journeys, which he deemed "strategic trips" that bolstered India's recognition on the global stage.
Adhikari quipped, "On the contrary, given the current regime's close association with corruption in West Bengal, the only potential outcome of the Chief Minister's trip/vacation might be the successful convening of a 'G420.'"
In response to these allegations, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh asserted that Mamata Banerjee was "more trustworthy" than PM Modi. He pointed out that PM Modi had embarked on foreign excursions even as the state of Manipur faced turmoil, and accused him of neglecting domestic issues in favor of international engagements.
Addressing the media, Adhikari persisted in his criticism of the Chief Minister, particularly regarding her timing. He stated, "While West Bengal was grappling with a concerning dengue outbreak, the Chief Minister embarked on an overseas holiday, showing little concern for the health crisis. Regrettably, upon her return, the dengue situation has deteriorated further."
Mamata Banerjee recently returned to Kolkata after a 12-day journey encompassing Spain and the UAE. Upon her arrival, she expressed satisfaction with the trip, characterizing it as highly successful in attracting investments to West Bengal.
She remarked, "It was a very positive trip. I have never experienced such a fruitful tour before. I am pleased that I could contribute significantly to the advancement of Bengal."
The Chief Minister emphasized that these foreign meetings were organized in collaboration with FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and the Indian Chamber of Commerce, resulting in the signing of significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
