Mamata Banerjee Likely to Skip PM Modi’s Kolkata Metro Inaugurations

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to give a miss to the inauguration of three metro projects in Kolkata by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 22, a senior state government official said on Monday.

The decision comes against the backdrop of alleged harassment of Bengali migrants in several BJP-ruled states.

“There have been consistent complaints of linguistic discrimination and harassment of Bengalis in different states, allegedly with tacit support from the BJP and the Centre. Protests are ongoing against such discriminatory practices. In this situation, the chief minister does not wish to share the stage with central government representatives,” the official told.

According to the railway ministry, Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Sealdah–Esplanade section of the Green Line, the Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)–Beleghata stretch of the Orange Line, and the Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar (airport) section of the Yellow Line. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had invited Banerjee to the programme through a letter dated August 14.

State officials pointed out that many of these projects were originally conceived and funded when Banerjee served as railway minister. “After years of delay, the BJP government is rushing to inaugurate them ahead of elections to claim credit. The chief minister was only extended a routine invitation,” the bureaucrat said.

Banerjee has previously attended central programmes citing constitutional protocol. However, sources said she was “unwilling to be part of a function where BJP supporters often turn official events into political rallies.”