Mamata Banerjee to skip chief minister's meeting in New Delhi

KOLKATA: Amidst the ongoing stand-off between the BJP and Trinamool Congress over several issues, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will skip the Chief Ministers meeting in New Delhi to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra to discuss the structure of new Plan panel.

"There is no scheduled Delhi visit", a state secretariat official said when asked whether she would attend tomorrow's meeting.

Instead she would be sending state Finance minister Amit Mitra as the state government's representing to attend the meeting, he said.

Though no reason was officially cited, he said Banerjee is scheduled to leave on Monday on a two-day tour infrastructure-cum-promiton trip to Jharkhali / Sajnekhali / Sunderbans.

The Chief Minister had recently urged the opposition parties to unite against the Narendra Modi government in Parliament.

"The Trinamool Congress is playing the role of main opposition in Delhi. That is why they are targeting us. Those in power in Delhi know Trinamool is their main opponent. But they cannot sweep us away with brooms," she had told a party workers' meeting here recently.

She had also accused the Modi government of "trying to sell out the country."