Mamata Banerjee Hits Back at Opposition Over London Visit Criticism

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left for attempting to tarnish her image before her upcoming visit to London. Banerjee, who is set to deliver a lecture at the University of Oxford, accused the opposition of harming the nation’s global reputation by attacking her ahead of an international event. She expressed concern that political disagreements should not be used to interfere with a leader’s overseas engagements, as it ultimately damages India’s standing on the world stage.

Administrative Arrangements During Her Absence

To ensure smooth governance during her week-long absence, Banerjee has set up a five-member task force along with a select group of ministers. She assured the public that she would remain accessible via phone for any urgent matters. Additionally, she confirmed that Subrata Bakshi and Abhishek Banerjee would oversee party affairs in her absence.

Details of Chief Minister’s London Visit

Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to depart for London on March 21, with her speech at Kellogg College, University of Oxford, planned for March 27. As part of her visit, she will meet business leaders on March 25 to promote investment opportunities in West Bengal. Her return is expected on either March 28 or 29. This marks her second visit to London, following a business engagement in Edinburgh in November 2017. The central government granted her permission for the visit last week.

Opposition’s Allegations and Controversy Over Oxford Invitation

A fresh controversy emerged when the Left-affiliated newspaper Ganashakti claimed that Oxford University was unaware of any event featuring Banerjee. The article suggested she was misleading the public about her invitation, without clarifying that the event was hosted by an individual college rather than the university as a whole.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari further fueled the controversy by sharing the article on Twitter, branding Banerjee’s invitation as ‘fraudulent’. However, a representative from the university’s vice-chancellor’s office clarified that individual colleges have the autonomy to organize their own events, which may not always be known to the central administration. In response, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) released invitations from Queen Mary University and the London School of Economics, though it remains uncertain whether Banerjee will accept these offers.

Scheduled Events in the UK

During her London visit, Banerjee will participate in an event at the Indian High Commission on March 24, followed by a government-to-government (G2G) function on March 26, and her lecture at Oxford on March 27. She highlighted West Bengal’s strong ties with the UK, referencing British delegation participation in the Bengal Global Business Summit.

Previous Criticisms of Mamata Banerjee’s Foreign Trips

Mamata Banerjee has faced similar opposition criticism during past international trips. In 2015, ahead of a London visit aimed at attracting investment, political opponents questioned the transparency and effectiveness of her travels. Likewise, during her 2017 trip to the UK, critics accused her of prioritizing foreign engagements over domestic governance in West Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee’s Response to Critics

While welcoming constructive criticism as part of a healthy democracy, Banerjee condemned attempts to defame West Bengal on the global stage. “You can criticize me, but do not tarnish Bengal’s reputation overseas,” she asserted, reinforcing her commitment to the state’s development and international engagement.