Not consulted by Centre on Teesta, state s interests come first: Mamata

Kolkata March 23 (IANS) Amid speculation of a likely deal on Teesta during the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina next month West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she will prioritize her state s interest while deciding on the proposed water sharing treaty with Bangladesh and claimed the Centre has not consulted her over the issue.

I do not want to discuss anything about the Teesta water treaty because the Centre does not discuss anything with us. They do things on their own. I won t be able to say anything on this issue without properly knowing it she said.

She said she has received no communication from the Centre over the deal.

I have heard that the two countries will sign an agreement on the Teesta water treaty on May 25 but I haven t received any formal communication of that till now. I have no information yet she said.

Banerjee also said she will consider Bengal s interest as a priority.

I have to see the benefit of the state. I love Bangladesh I will help them as much as I can after taking care of my state she asserted.

I share a very good personal as well as political relationship with Sheikh Hasina. Otherwise how was the issue of Chit-mahal (enclave dwellers) solved... an issue that was not sorted for 66 years she added.

Mamata had pulled out of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh s entourage to Bangladesh in 2011 over the Teesta deal leading to political embarrassment. She participated in Prime Minister Narendra Modi s 2015 visit to the neighbouring country but on condition that the pact would not figure in the talks.


Hasina is to visit India from April 7.

--IANS
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