Kolkata: The External Affairs Ministry has denied travel permission to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her Rome visit. Banerjee was supposed to attend the 'World Peace Conference' scheduled to take place in Rome on October 6 and 7. Without stating any specific reason for denial, the ministry only said that the tour does not match the responsibilities of her profile as the chief minister.
A private organization in Italy has organized the event. Invitations have already been sent to the German chancellor Angela Merkel, the Pope and the top political leaders of Italy. Mamata Banerjee also received the invitation to attend the same. She accepted the invitation and was making preparations accordingly.
In its invitation, the organizers of the conference were all in praise of the chief minister. They said that over the last ten years she has set an example of development, social justice and peace. They also praised her role in improving the living conditions of the backward section of the people, which has attracted global attention. The chief minister thought that this invitation was a matter of pride for West Bengal and hence she agreed to attend the conference. But the denial of the external affairs ministry has closed all the doors now.
It is worth mentioning here that whenever any chief minister, or a Parliamentarian or a legislator goes on an official foreign tour, they need to get clearance from the external affairs ministry. This is part of the basic protocol. However, sources said that in certain cases the protocols are not followed. However, the external affairs ministry is strictly sticking to the protocol in this case.
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Sources from the state secretariat of Nabanna said that the external affairs ministry has already forwarded a brief communication to the state government. In that communication, the Union ministry has pointed out that this tour of Mamata Banerjee is not necessary as it does not have consistency with her chair of the chief minister.
Ruling Trinamool Congress leaders feel that this denial is political - biased. Previously, the chief minister's planned tour to China and Chicago were also cancelled because of the denial from the external affairs ministry. The same thing has now happened with her Rome visit.
On this issue senior Trinamool Congress legislator and party spokesman, Tapas Roy said, "The rulers at the Centre are envious and vengeful. When the chief minister has been invited to attend a Global Peace Conference, they are determined to stop that. Actually, the BJP leadership is constantly trying to destabilize the peace and harmony in the country. So it is natural that the concept of global peace will not be relevant for them. However, such denial will not be able to stop Mamata Banerjee. They will soon realize this," he said.
