By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar while both the leaders however, denied reports of any discussion on a new front. However, speculation remained rife that the meeting was part of Banerjee’s plan to form an opposition front with regional players minus the Congress.
Mamata Banerjee called the meeting a “courtesy call” and the Odisha Chief Minister said there was no “political discussion” during the meeting.
“We resolved to make the federal structure of the country permanent and strong. There was no other political discussion,” CM Patnaik said . WB CM Banerjee while backing Odisha CM Patnaik and said, “I strongly support what Naveen ji said and I appreciate this. We also discussed about democratic rights and the safety of the nation.”
She also sought iron ore for industries in her state and proposed an industrial corridor between the two states. Both the leaders skipped questions on the possibilities of a third front or a regional alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The West Bengal CM praised the officers and people of Odisha for the hospitality she got during her visit. She also expressed gratitude to the Odisha government for providing 2 acres land in Puri for construction of Bengal Niwas for devotees of West Bengal. Mamata said that her government is building a Jagannath Temple in Digha. She also invited to her Odisha counterparts to West Bengal.
