CPI disapproves of Mamata's move to opt out of Bangladesh visit

NEW DELHI: The CPI on Monday disapproved of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "way of protest" on the Teesta water sharing issue by opting out of Prime Minister's visit to Dhaka, saying it does not send a right message.

"This is not the way to protest," CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta told reporters outside parliament.

Upset with the proposed Teesta water sharing treaty that India and Bangladesh are expected to sign during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day visit from tomorrow, Mamata yesterday decided not to accompany him to Dhaka.

Six other CMs are scheduled to travel with the Prime Minister to Dhaka.

Dasgupta said Mamata's refusal does not send the right message to the country or to Bangladesh. "Her decision is against our political and federal tradition," the CPI MP said, adding, "If she is not agreeing with Centre's policy.... it can be sorted out it here only."