Announcing her two-day visit to Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in Kolkata on Wednesday that it is matter of pride for her to be visiting the neighbouring country when it celebrates “ Bhasa Divas ” Language day on February 21.
Ms. Banerjee said that though she had visited Bangladesh in the past, this is the first time she will be visiting the neighbouring country as Chief Minister. The visit comes at a time when 90 persons were killed in political violence over the last few weeks in Bangladesh and the country is clearly in a state of turmoil.
During her visit between February 19-21, the Chief Minister will meet Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid. She will be accompanied by a business delegation as well as several artists and cultural personalities from the State.
"The visit will strengthen ties between two countries. We speak the same language and our culture remains the same,” she told journalists at the State Secretariat.
While Ms. Banerjee will be present at Bhasa Divas celebrations on February 21 in Bangladesh, she said that her government will unveil a replica of the Bhasha Shahid Smarak in Kolkata near Birla Planetarium on that day.
'Course-correction' exercise
The Chief Minister's visit is seen in political circles as a "course-correction" exercise. Objecting to crucial bi-lateral issues like Teesta river Water Sharing and exchange of enclaves with Bangladesh Ms Banerjee had cancelled her visit to Bangladesh in September 2011, when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the neighbouring country. The upcoming visit is seen as a turnaround in her stance.
While Ms. Banerjee has agreed to the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh, her views on the Teesta water sharing still remains unclear. Many in the government's water resource department argue that Teesta does not have enough water to share with Bangladesh during the lean season. In fact, the erstwhile Left Front was also against sharing of Teesta water with Bangladesh. However, it is expected that Ms. Banerjee may soften her position regarding water sharing during her visit.
There has also been allegations that a section of the ruling party members had close ties with Jamaat-e-Islami (JeH) in Bangladesh, which opposes the Awami League Government headed by Sheikh Hasina, but is not a proscribed party. One of Ms. Banerjee's MPs, who was interrogated by the investigating agencies in the Bardhaman blast case for his alleged connection with some of the leaders of JeH, is also accompanying the Chief Minister.
The visit comes at a time when 90 persons were killed by extremist forces in Bangladesh. Indian investigating agencies believe many small modules of the outlawed Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh, operated from parts of West Bengal to create internal turmoil in the country. The allegation was challenged by the TMC leaders.
