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Narendra Modi-Mamata Banerjee Meeting LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit in Kolkata, unveiled an Ardhnarishwar sculpture at Old Currency Building in the capital of West Bengal. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar was also present at the unveiling of the statue. Addressing an anti-CAA-NRC demonstration in Kolkata after her meeting with Modi at Raj Bhavan, West Bengal chief minister said that her government doesn’t accept the notification issued by the government on the Citizenship Amendment Act. “We do not accept the notification issued by the government. It’s anti-constitutional. We can’t allow citizenship based on religion. The CAA notification will be only on paper, it will never be implemented. We would not allow it,” Banerjee said during a dharna against CAA. “We do not accept NRC. We do not accept CAA,” she said adding that citizenship is the right of the people of India. Banerjee also said that the peaceful movement against CAA and NRC will continue in West Bengal. Soon after meeting Modi at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, Banerjee participated in the demonstration being held by Trinamool Chhatra Parishad in Kolkata, against CAA and NRC. Earlier, speaking to reporters after her brief meeting with Modi, Banerjee said that she informed him about her government’s stand on CAA, proposed NRC and NPR. “I told him (the prime minister) that we are against CAA, NPR and NRC. We want that CAA and NRC should be withdrawn,” ANI quoted her as saying. The politically significant meeting between the two leaders took place a short time after the prime minister arrived in the city. Modi is on his first visit to West Bengal since the passage of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act at a time when the state’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee has been leading an acerbic campaign against the law. However, notwithstanding the bitterness the two politicians have shared in the past, both are poised to discharge constitutional duties and withhold political niceties as Modi is expected to share the dais with the TMC supremo on Sunday. Ever since the BJP emerged the main contender of the TMC in West Bengal following the Lok Sabha poll results, Modi and Banerjee have not shared a stage at any government programme. The chief minister had gone to New Delhi in September last year and met Modi in a “courtesy call” visit. Both are expected to hold a meeting at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday, a state secretariat official said on Friday. They are also likely to share the stage during a programme in Kolkata on Sunday, a source in the Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) told PTI. Mamata, who was holding back on the Centre’s invitation for almost five days, sent out indications on Friday morning that she could attend the event. Modi will be on a two-day visit to Kolkata from 11 January, amid ongoing protest at various places in the state against the amended citizenship law. “As far as we know, she (Banerjee) will attend a programme of the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) on 12 January, where the prime minister would also be present,” a senior TMC leader told PTI. Modi will reach the city at around 4 pm as per the schedule, said an official at the state secretariat. [caption id=“attachment_6383181” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee. Courtesy, Twitter, PTI[/caption] However, the agenda of the meeting between Modi and Banerjee was not disclosed. Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya had gone to the state secretariat on Friday to invite Banerjee to the 150th-anniversary programme of the Kolkata Port Trust, wherein Modi will announce projects related to shipping and heritage conservation,
say reports
. The significant political development comes a day after Banerjee had said in the state assembly that she would boycott an opposition meeting called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on 13 January over the JNU violence, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and other “anti-people” policies of the Centre. Mamata boycotts Opposition’s anti-CAA meet West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee
had earlier this week,
said that she will boycott the Opposition’s anti-CAA meeting convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on 13 January to protest the violence unleashed in the state allegedly by Left Front and Congress workers during a trade union strike. The 24-hour nationwide strike by central trade unions across the nation on Wednesday was marked by incidents of violence and arson, blocking of railway tracks and roads by protestors trying to enforce the shutdown in Bengal. Mamata said, “double standards” of the Left Front and Congress will not be tolerated. “I have decided to boycott the meeting convened by Sonia Gandhi on 13 January in New Delhi as I don’t support the violence that the Left and Congress unleashed in West Bengal yesterday (Wednesday),” the chief minister said at the state Assembly. The new citizenship law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation. Meanwhile, reacting to the likely meeting of the two leaders, the opposition CPI(M)-led Left Front said the Trinamool Congress’ “double standard” is now exposed. “The TMC is actually a Trojan horse in the opposition camp,” CPI(M) legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty alleged. The West Bengal BJP leadership, however, said it is expected that in a federal structure, a chief minister will be present at a government programme attended by the prime minister. With inputs from PTI
Narendra Modi-Mamata Banerjee Meeting Updates: 'CAA notification will be only on paper,' says West Bengal CM at Kolkata dharna
Narendra Modi-Mamata Banerjee Meeting LIVE Updates: Addressing an anti-CAA-NRC demonstration in Kolkata after meeting the prime minister, the West Bengal chief minister said that her government doesn’t accept the notification issued by the government on the Citizenship Amendment Act
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Modi unveils synchronised light system for Howrah Bridge
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Dynamic Architectural Illumination with synchronised light and sound system for Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge) as a part of 150th-anniversary celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee joined him at the ceremony.
Kolkata’s Indian Museum to be among five art spaces to get upgrade, says Narendra Modi
Speaking at the unveiling of a statue at Kolkata’s Old Currency Building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Central government has decided that five iconic museums of the country will be made of international standards.
He said that the project will start from the Indian Museum of Kolkata, one of the oldest museums in the world, according to ANI.
Announcing that the renovation work to modernise the four iconic galleries of Kolkata, including Belvedere House, Old Currency Building and the Victoria Memorial, has been completed, the prime minister said that efforts are being taken in the direction to convert the Belvedere House into a Museum of the World.
Narendra Modi unveils sculpture in Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit in Kolkata, unveiled an Ardhnarishwar sculpture at Old Currency Building in the capital of West Bengal. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar was also present at the unveiling of the statue.
‘CAA notification will be only on paper,’ says Mamata Banerjee at Kolkata dharna
Addressing an anti-CAA-NRC demonstration in Kolkata, West Bengal chief minister said that her government doesn’t accept the notification issued by the government on the Citizenship Amendment Act.
“We do not accept the notification issued by the government. It’s anti-constitutional. We can’t allow citizenship based on religion. The CAA notification will be only on paper, it will never be implemented. We would not allow it,” Banerjee said during a dharna against CAA.
“We do not accept NRC. We do not accept CAA,” adding that citizenship is the right of the people of India.
Banerjee also said that the peaceful movement against CAA and NRC will continue in West Bengal.
Mamata participates in anti-CAA-NRC demonstration after short meeting with Modi
Soon after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee participated in a demonstration being held by Trinamool Chhatra Parishad in Kolkata, against CAA and NRC.
After the short meeting, Mamata had said that she had informed the prime minister about her government’s stand on the issue, and asked him to withdraw the contentious act.
Modi is in Kolkata today for a two-day visit. He will attend the sesquicentenary celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust and hold a detailed meeting with Banerjee on Sunday. He will also dedicate four heritage buildings to the nation.
Told prime minister that we are against CAA, NPR and NRC: Mamata Banerjee
Speaking to reporters after her brief meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that she informed him about her government’s stand on CAA, proposed NRC and NPR.
“I told him (the prime minister) that we are against CAA, NPR and NRC. We want that CAA and NRC should be withdrawn,” ANI quoted her as saying.
Modi and Mamata meet at Raj Bhawan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met on Saturday at Raj Bhawan, amidst ongoing protests across the city against the amended Citizenship Act.
The agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed.
The politically significant meeting between the two leaders took place a short time after the PM arrived in the city on a two-day visit.
— PTI
Mamata to participate in anti-CAA protests during day, meet Modi by the evening
TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to spend an hour with the TMCP agitators during the day. She is scheduled to meet the prime minister in the evening at the Raj Bhawan. Though, the agenda of the meeting is not yet known but Mamata is likely to discuss various state-centre issues, including NRC and CAA.
Earlier, in September 18 last year, Mamata met PM Modi after a gap of nearly 16 months at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence. Then, she termed the meeting as ’non-political meeting’ and ‘very good’. Then, for the first time she had also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed many issues, including the National Register of Citizens.
‘Go Back Modi’: TMC, CPM activists hold protests against CAA, NRC as PM visits West Bengal
The ruling Trinamool Congress students wing as well as Left Front activists protested separately against the amended Citizenship Act in various parts of West Bengal as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the state. Trinamool Congress students’ wing, TMCP, began their ‘dharna’ against CAA, NRC and National Population Register (NPR) on Friday at Rani Rashmoni Road in Kolkata.
The Left Front activists staged protests on Saturday against the new citizenship law in various parts of North 24 Parganas district.
Modi to meet Mamata Banerjee for the first time since anti-CAA protests broke out
Apart from attending scheduled programmes, the prime minister will hold a one-on-one meeting with Banerjee at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday evening. The meeting assumes significance as the new citizenship law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.
Modi to dedicate four heritage buildings to nation during Kolkata tour
During his visit, Modi will attend sesquicentenary celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust and hold a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He will also dedicate four heritage buildings to the nation.
These are the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House and the Victoria Memorial Hall. The Culture Ministry has renovated these iconic galleries and refurbished them with new exhibitions, while curating the old galleries. The ministry is developing cultural spaces around iconic buildings in various metro cities in the country.
He will be handing over a cheque of Rs 501 crore towards the final instalment to meet the deficit of pension fund of retired and existing employees of the Kolkata Port Trust, the statement said. The prime minister will also be felicitating two oldest pensioners of the Kolkata Port Trust — Nagina Bhagat, 105, and Naresh Chandra Chakraborty, 100. He will also launch the Port anthem during the event.
Besides, he will unveil a plaque of 150 years of commemorative installation at the site of original Port jetties. The prime minister will also inaugurate the upgraded ship repair faciility of Cochin Kolkata Ship Repair Unit at Netaji Subhas Dry Dock. He will inaugurate the full rake handling facility while dedicating the upgraded railway infrastructure of Kolkata Dock System of KoPT for smooth cargo movement and improving turnaround time. In another event, the prime minister will inaugurate Kaushal Vikas Kendra and Pritilata Chhatri Avas for 200 tribal girl students of Sunderbans.
Excited to be in West Bengal for two days
Kolkata turns into fortress for PM’s visit
The prime minister’s visit comes at a time when West Bengal has been witnessing widespread protests against the contentious Citizenship Act. Massive security arrangements were made by the Special Protection Group (SPG) in consultation with the Kolkata Police. Amid protests, the security is several notches tighter as the city turns into a fortress.
According to local reports, a protest at Kaikhali on VIP Road is still on. Another demonstration has been lined up outside Raj Bhawan, and both Left and Congress have planned to wave black flag.
Narendra Modi reaches Kolkata for two-day visit to West Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kolkata on Saturday for a two-day visit to West Bengal amid ongoing protests over the new citizenship law, with the state administration claiming a “foolproof” security cover has been put in place to thwart attempts to create disturbance.