Mamata Banerjee Arrives in Kolkata, Skips Media Interaction at Airport
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Synopsis
Mamata Banerjee returned to Kolkata from an eight-day trip to the UK, avoiding media interactions at the airport. Her visit was marked by disruptions during her speech in London, raising concerns among the CPI-M and SFI about potential repercussions for student activists in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee returned to Kolkata after UK trip.
- She avoided media at the airport, a break from tradition.
- Concerns raised by CPI-M and SFI over potential backlash.
- Disruptions during her London speech led to tensions.
- Call for protests if SFI activists are attacked in West Bengal.
Kolkata, March 29 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made her way back to Kolkata from an eight-day visit to the UK on Saturday evening. In a departure from her usual protocol, she chose to bypass interactions with the media at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
Upon her arrival in Kolkata, she merely acknowledged the Trinamool Congress supporters gathered outside the airport before getting into her car and departing.
This meant there was no chance to hear her comments regarding the disruptions during her keynote speech at Kellogg College, United Kingdom, caused by a group of local Indians led primarily by the Students Federation of India (SFI) affiliated with the CPI-M.
However, one of her aides mentioned that the Chief Minister felt generally pleased with her eight-day trip to England, suggesting that her quick exit was likely due to fatigue from her extensive journey back to Kolkata via connecting flights from London to Dubai.
During her visit, she expressed her disappointment over the lack of a direct flight between London and Kolkata.
In the meantime, the leadership of CPI-M and the SFI voiced concerns that their student activists in West Bengal might face repercussions due to the disruptions during the Chief Minister’s address in London.
Left leaders warned that there would be significant protests across the region if any violence was directed at an SFI member in West Bengal.
“Historically, Trinamool Congress leaders have attempted to tarnish our late leaders, including Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. Our esteemed leader Biman Bose has also faced slander from the ruling party. In the UK, our comrades merely raised questions that seemed to irritate the Chief Minister. However, if any of our student activists are harmed in West Bengal, we will organize massive protests throughout the state,” stated Srijan Bhattacharya, a youth leader of the party.
