New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the central government refused to approve her visit to Rome, where she was asked to attend a world peace meeting with Pope Francis, Ecumenical Chancellor Bartholomew I and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. was invited.
“There was a meeting on world peace in Rome, where I was invited. The German Chancellor, Pope (Francis) is also to attend. Italy had given me special permission to attend, yet the Center said Approval denied that it is not right for the Chief Minister”: Mamata Banerjee while addressing a gathering in Kolkata.
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Speaking on the issue, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that PM Modi is “utterly jealous”.
“You won’t be able to stop me. I am not eager to go abroad, but it was about the honor of the nation. You (PM Modi) keep talking about Hindus, I am also a Hindu woman, why didn’t you allow me Di? You are totally jealous,” CM Mamata was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Bringing up the upcoming Bhawanipur by-election and alluding to his rumors of challenging PM Modi in 2024, he said: “We have to defend our freedom. ‘Taliban’ BJP cannot run in India… TMC is enough to defeat BJP. ‘Khela’ will start from Bhabnipur and end after our victory across the country.
Earlier, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev had tweeted in this regard and claimed that the Center has denied permission to the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
“The central government did not allow Didi’s visit to Rome! Earlier they have also canceled the permission to travel to China. We accepted that decision keeping in mind the interests of international relations and India. Now why Italy Modi ji? What is your problem with Bengal? He has written.
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Mamata Banerjee invited to Rome
In August, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was invited to Rome by the Community of Saint Egidio – a Catholic association dedicated to social service – to attend the “Brothers as Peoples, Future Earth” world meeting for peace.
News agency IANS had reported that the meeting is scheduled to be held on October 6 and 7 this year.
In a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sant Egidio Ait Community president Marco Impagliazzo congratulated her on her victory in this year’s assembly election: “First of all, I would like to express my personal congratulations on your important role. For the important work for elections and social justice, for the development of your country and therefore for peace, which you have been doing for more than ten years.
“Allow me to tell you that I feel your commitment and your generous fighting on the side of the weakest and most disadvantaged, very close to my sensitivity and to the work of the community of Sant’ Egidio in Rome and throughout the world. ,” They said. Added, as quoted by IANS.
“His Holiness Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, HE Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Great Imam of Al-Azhar (Egypt), German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the supreme Italian political authority, and many high representatives of Christian churches and great religions around the world have already confirmed their participation,” the letter mentioned.
Now, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party TMC have alleged that the central government has not allowed them to attend the event in Rome, the Centre’s response and clarification on the issue is awaited.
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