Rajnath Singh's border enclaves visit raises Mamata Banerjee's hackles

KOLKATA: BJP and Trinamool Congress's turbulent relations took a furt ther nosedive on Tuesday when home minister Rajnath Singh visited Teen Bigha in i West Bengal, bordering Bangladesh, drawing sarcastic reactions from chief minister Mamata Banerjee who said the Centre ought to have consulted her government before the visit.

Banerjee charged that Rajnath's was a "political visit". "Today , Union Home Minister Rajnath Singhji has visited Chhit-Ma has visited Chhit-Mahal (Indo-Bangladesh enclaves) areas in Cooch Behar, along with BJP MPs. Is it an official visit or a political visit?" Baner jee posted on Facebook.

"It's customary to have prior discussion in such cases with the state government. I have only received a fax message of his tour programme. I think in our federal structure, we must respect each other's ju risdiction," she said.

Sources close to Rajnath said the state government was duly informed about his visit. The home secretary wrote to the state EC seeking clearance for the visit, as civic polls are underway in parts of Bengal. The EC raised no objection.

"It's unfortunate that Mamata Banerjee is making an issue of a non-issue," said a member of Singh's staff.

"The exchange of enclaves should happen as soon as possible," Singh said. He dismissed Banerjee's complaint saying, "I am on a border visit. What purpose will the state government serve by coming here?" He added he might meet Banerjee on the issue of land acquisition for border outposts.