BJP accuses Mamata of "playing politics" at people's expense

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister for skipping Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with the Chief Ministers in Delhi, saying the TMC supremo should not play politics and deprive the people of her state

"I think she should understand that she is holding the office of a Chief Minister, an elected constitutional office and she should know that she has to place the interests of the people of Bengal above her own narrow-political interest," BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said.

"And if she is threatened by the growth of the BJP in West Bengal, if she is threatened that we are going to surpass her political support in Bengal and take over the people support or win next elections, I think that is her personal challenge. She should not play politics and deprive the people of Bengal," he added.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today skipped the meeting called by Prime Minister Modi in the national capital.

Omar has cited the ongoing polls in Jammu and Kashmir as the reason for his absence, while Mamata's decision to skip the meeting comes amidst the ongoing stand-off between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over several issues.

Prime Minister Modi is meeting with the Chief Ministers to discuss various aspects relating to the restructuring of the Planning Commission. He will seek views of the Chief Ministers regarding the structure, scope and role of the new body that will replace Planning Commission.