August 19, 2025

Kolkata is buzzing with tension as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to skip the big metro projects inauguration scheduled for August 22 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A top official revealed on Monday that Mamata, who originally planned these metro lines during her time as railway minister, is not happy with the current situation. Why the drama? It all boils down to the ongoing protests and serious accusations about the harassment of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states. "There have been charges of linguistic discrimination and the harassment of the Bengalis in several states, with the alleged support of the BJP and the central government. Protests are underway to oppose such discriminatory treatment being meted out to Bengali migrants. In such a situation, the chief minister does not wish to share the stage with officials from the central government," the official told PTI. The metro projects in question are exciting additions to Kolkata’s transport scene: the Sealdah-Esplanade section on the Green Line, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)-Beleghata stretch on the Orange Line, and the Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar (airport) section on the Yellow Line. These projects were planned and funded during Mamata’s tenure as railway minister but saw slow progress over the years. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially invited Mamata via a letter dated August 14 to join the inauguration event, where PM Modi will take the lead. But the state's top bureaucrat says, "These railway projects were originally planned and funded by Mamata Banerjee... After years of slow progress, the BJP is now inaugurating them before the elections to claim credit. The chief minister was only given a routine invitation via letter." The official added that Mamata has attended central government events before out of respect for protocol, but BJP supporters have often turned these gatherings chaotic. "BJP supporters created chaos and acted disrespectfully, turning the official functions into political platforms. Given this into account, no option will be given for such unacceptable conduct," he said. So, the big metro party in Kolkata is now shadowed by politics and protests. Will this skip send waves through West Bengal’s political turf as elections near? Only time will tell!

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Tags: Mamata banerjee, Kolkata metro, Narendra modi, West bengal, Bjp, Railway projects,