PM Modi slams Mamata's 'arrogance' during cyclone, she hits back
What's the story
Replying to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claims that she didn't answer his calls after Cyclone Fani, West Bengal Chief Minister on Monday said she is not interested in sharing the stage with "Expiry PM". PM Modi and Banerjee indulged in a war of words with the former accusing the Trinamool chief of "playing politics" when disaster struck. Here's what happened.
Series of events
Cyclone Fani wreaked havoc, then it was discussed in politics
Cyclone Fani, one of the rarest cyclonic storms, hit Eastern coastal states last week. After leaving a trail of destruction in Odisha, Fani moved towards Bengal. Over the weekend, a controversy erupted after PM Modi allegedly didn't take stock of the situation in Bengal. Speaking on this, PM Modi tweeted he called Banerjee before the cyclone hit but she "refused" to talk to him.
Claims
Was worried about people of Bengal, said PM Modi
PM Modi wrote, "speedbreaker Didi" (a term which was coined by BJP to allege that Banerjee stopped development in the state) didn't show interest in speaking to him. "I called her again. I was worried about the people of Bengal and wanted to speak to Mamata Didi. But Didi did not speak to me the second time either," claimed PM Modi.
Reply
Banerjee had an explanation for her behavior
Responding to PM Modi, Banerjee said she "does not want to share dais with expiry-PM". With this statement, Banerjee, who has been one of the staunchest critics of PM Modi, sort of confirmed that PM Modi called. Meanwhile, PM Modi heaped praises on Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik for the way he handled Fani. Nearly 12 lakh people were evacuated before Fani made landfall.
Quote
Naveen 'Babu' earned praises from PM Modi
"Naveen babu has planned everything very well and the central government will help him take ahead all of these things. I want to tell the people of this country that the way the citizens of Odisha followed the government's instructions was commendable," he said.
Rally
Separately, Modi said Banerjee doesn't want to talk about God
Taking his attack on Banerjee a step further, PM Modi told his supporters in Jhargram that she was jailing those who chanted 'Jai Shri Ram'. "Didi is so frustrated these days that she doesn't even want to talk or hear about God," PM Modi added. He also claimed that Trinamool wasn't implementing strict laws pertaining to human trafficking and rape.
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PM Modi urged voters to give BJP a chance
"You have given an opportunity to dynasty, Leftist and a government that suppresses people. Give one opportunity to a party that is committed to the development," requested PM Modi to the voters.