While discounting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s weeklong visit to the United Kingdom (UK) as “nothing” but a few “controversies and dramas”, senior Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury on Monday came out in support of her on the Oxford incident, saying it was not fair to disrespect the CM abroad.
Chowdhury, a known bête noire of Mamata, said he was against people disrespecting the chief minister of Bengal, especially when she is on an official tour.
“I had said this earlier and am repeating this today that Mamata Banerjee is also my chief minister, even though my politics is against her. It would not be fair for any of us to disrespect or insult her when she is travelling abroad. Similarly, she should also not forget the prestige of her chair, and protecting that is also her responsibility,” the former state Congress chief said, referring to the ruckus created by protesters last week during her speech at Kellogg College, Oxford.
The former Congress MP, however, demanded the state government to issue a statement on the outcome of her trip.
“We want to know who went to London (with the CM). What were the expenses incurred on this trip? Who were the people she met there? And what were the proposals that have been received and whether the state would benefit from them or not,” Chowdhury told reporters here.
Chowdhury said Mamata Banerjee had travelled to the UK on the taxpayers’ money and so it was her government’s responsibility to issue a press statement about the outcome of the visit after her return.
“There is no discussion regarding the outcome of the London trip. It is very surprising. There are several reactions regarding her visit to London. In fact, reactions were so intense that rallies were organised in support or sometimes against that. But those were unnecessary,” he said.
Referring to viral video clips shared on social media, Chowdhry said, “We only saw her either walking or running. And on another day, we saw a verbal duel during a meeting.” She tried to beat her own drum, alleged the former Union minister.
“The outcome of the London trip is nothing but a few controversies, a drama and then people are laughing about it,” he added.