Centre denies Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee permission to take part in peace conference in Italy

By Rajdeep Sardesai, Jayanta Ghoshal: The Union Ministry of External Affairs has denied West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee permission to participate in the World Peace Conference to be held in Italy in October this year.

The clearance has been denied from a 'political angle' and because the "event is not commensurate in status for participation by the chief minister of a state".

The conference will be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. The event will be centred on Mother Teresa.

Earlier, the Italian government had requested Mamata Banerjee not to come with any delegates. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee then proposed industry delegation clearance and requested the Ministry of External Affairs for the same. However, the clearance was not given.

TMC REACTS

TMC spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev took to Twitter to express his opinion on the denial of permission to Mamata Banerjee.

He wrote, "Central government denied permission for Didi's Rome trip! Previously they've cancelled the permission of China trip too. We accepted that decision keeping international relations and India's interests in mind. Now why Italy Modi ji? What is your problem with Bengal? Chi!"

Central government denied permission for Didi's Rome trip!

Previously they've cancelled the permission of China trip too. We accepted that decision with keeping international relations and India's interests in mind.

Now why Italy Modi ji? What is your problem with Bengal? Chi! — Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev (@ItsYourDev) September 25, 2021

WHAT MAMATA BANERJEE SAID

"We have a meeting in Rome for world peace. The German Chancellor would have been present along with the Pope. The Italian government had invited me and their government had given us special permission to visit. But now, the Central government has just denied permission," said Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Why? Is it because it is not right for a CM to visit? Wherever I try to go somewhere, they create hurdles but they roam around the world," said Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Many people can’t visit abroad, the US or UK as Covaxin is not recognized by WHO but our PM has gone abroad with special permission. Did he think once that so many students have been denied the opportunity to visit? I have no problem with PM’s visit. But why did you not allow me to represent the country? Why did you stop me? Each time you stop me like that. You cannot stop me all the time. Each time you indulge in such illegal acts.

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