TMC chagrin over Railways skipping Mamata mention

In a two-pronged reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kolkata and inauguration of new Metro lines, the Trinamul Congress today belittled BJP's poll prospects next year as well as expressed dismay at the Railways' neglecting Mamata Banerjee's name during today's programmes.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 22 August

Coming down heavily on PM Modi's attempt to boost his party's prospects in Bengal during his rally speech, Trinamul Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said Mamata Banerjee would return with more seats in the 2026 Assembly election.

"The more Modi comes to Bengal, the more the BJP will lose ground and ensure a larger Trinamul Congress' victory in the state," Mr Ghosh said. He said the railway ministry did not have the courtesy to mention the name of Mamata Banerjee at today's programmes in the city, even though she had sanctioned sections of its expansion and later provided land for the extension of Metro Railway in the city.

Obliquely referring to the SIR (Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls) exercise, Mr Ghosh said the Prime Minister had spoken about infiltration.