Rajnath's Coochbehar visit 'official or political', asks Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday raised questions over Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Cooch Behar along with BJP MPs, asking if it was an official visit or a political visit.

Array

"Today Union Home Minister has visited Chhit-Mahal areas in Coochbehar, along with BJP MPs. Is it official visit or political visit," Mamata said on Twitter.

"It is customary to have prior discussion in such cases with State Govt. In a federal str, we must respect each other's jurisdiction," she added.

"No prior discussion or consultation about the visit was made with us. Chhit-Mahal and law and order fall within the jurisdiction of State Govt. Even though I am now in North Bengal, with a prior programme, I have only received a fax message of his tour programme," the West Bengal Chief Minister said.

She also raised objections over BJP state president Rahul Sinha accompanying the Home Minister in his meeting with West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

"Official pic from HMO says HM meets Governor. Fair enough.But what is BJP State Prez doing? What is his locus standi?" Mamata tweeted.

The Home Minister arrived in West Bengal earlier today to assess the situation along the Indo -Bangladesh boarder.

He was briefed by the Border Security Force officer at Chit Balapukhri near India-Bangladesh international border. The Social organisations active in Cooch Behar area also met the Home Minister and handed over a memorandum on Indo-Bangladesh Enclaves.

Rajnath met the Border Guards of Bangladesh at Panbari Border Out Post (BOP) near Teen Bigha corridor, Cooch Behar. He also met BSF security personnel posted in the area before leaving Teen Beegha corridor.

He will visit BOPs at 24 North Paraganas and 24 South Paraganas of West Bengal tomorrow.