March 31, 2015
Is Union Home Minister’s visit to Chhit-Mahal official or political: WB CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today slammed the Union Home Minister over his visit to Chhit-Mahal areas of Cooch Behar, accompanied by BJP MPs. WB CM demanded to know whether this visit was a political one or an official one.
WB CM also said that the Union Government had done no prior consultation with the State Government regarding this visit. She added, although she was in north Bengal, only a fax was sent to her regarding the tour programme.
The Chief Minister also drove home the point that law and order is a part of State jurisdiction and in federal structure, the respective jurisdictions of the State and Centre should be honoured.
She posted on social media:
Today Union Home Minister has visited Chhit-Mahal areas in Coochbehar, along with BJP MPs. Is it official visit or political visit #alerts
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 31, 2015
It is customary to have prior discussion in such cases with State Govt. In a federal str, we must respect each other’s jurisdiction #alerts
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 31, 2015
No prior discussion or consultation about the visit was made with us. Chhit-Mahal & law and order fall within the jurisdiction of State Govt
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 31, 2015
Even though I am now in North Bengal, with a prior programme, I have only received a fax message of his tour programme
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 31, 2015