Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share platform with Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal on February 21 to lay foundation stones of some government projects and attend a function at the Goudiya Math in Kolkata. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will accompany him.

Modi is unlikely to address any BJP rally or meet party leaders during his one-day visit to the state, a decision that has upset local party members.

"The prime minister is coming to Bengal for a few hours and as far as I know, he is unlikely to meet any of the BJP leaders during his stay," Bengal BJP spokesperson Krishanu Mitra told ET on Monday. "I am currently in Delhi along with our state leaders and we are trying to get an appointment from prime minister's office (PMO). If we manage to get that, we will urge him to give us some time," he said.

It is learnt that the prime minister will be in Bengal only for a few hours and might visit Sagar Island to inaugurate a state government project besides attending a function of Gaudiya Math. In all the functions, Banerjee will accompany the prime minister.

Mitra said that it would be impossible for the prime minister to address any public rally during his visit because of a ban on using loudspeakers. "Madhyamika examinations are on and several other examinations will take place during the entire February. Therefore, we would not be able to organise any public rally. But we are making all possible efforts to meet the prime minister during his visit on February 21," he said.

A senior Bengal BJP leader, talking on condition of anonymity, said, "The prime minister would not be able to lay foundation stones for any central government projects after announcement of election dates. That's why he is coming on February as poll dates are likely to be announced by first week of March."