Mamata meets PM Modi, urges to withdraw extension of BSF's jurisdiction in Bengal

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raised the issue of the BSF's territorial jurisdiction in the state, demanding that it be withdrawn.

She also told Modi that the federal structure of the country should not be disturbed in any way.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently extended the jurisdiction of BSF up to 50 km inside the international borders in West Bengal, Punjab and Assam. The West Bengal Assembly had on November 16 passed a resolution against the Union government's decision, becoming the second state after Punjab to oppose the move in the state legislature.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Banerjee said that she invited the prime minister to inaugurate the Global Business Summit which would be held in West Bengal next year. When asked what the Prime Minister said about the invitation, the Chief Minister said, "He has accepted the invitation."

The chief minister said that she raised the issue of violence in Tripura in which TMC workers were allegedly assaulted by BJP workers.

Banerjee also said that the nearly Rs 96,655 crore is lying pending with the Centre, including funds for relief measures for cyclones Amphan, Yaas and Foni.

"The Centre is not releasing the funds for the central projects and also the funds that the state government spent during the natural calamities. I have asked the Prime Minister to look into the matter, otherwise the states cannot prosper," she said.

On the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls, she said, "If Akhilesh (Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav) needs our help, then we are ready to extend help.

When asked why she has not met Sonia Gandhi during his visit to the national capital so far, Banerjee said, "Is it a constitutional obligation to meet Sonia Gandhi? They are busy with the elections in Punjab and other states. Let them do work for their party. I had only one appointment and that was with the Prime Minister. I came here to speak to him regarding my state. Nothing beyond that was pre-scheduled."

The TMC chief said that she will meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar during her visit to Mumbai on November 30-December 1.

Banerjee will return to Kolkata on Thursday morning.