It is anticipated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will participate in the Eastern Zonal Council meeting at the state secretariat on November 5. Shah’s proposed visit coincides with heightened attacks from the ruling Trinamool Congress, labeling him as ‘India’s Biggest Pappu.’
Sources within the state government indicated that Shah would lead a meeting attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and representatives from the governments of Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand. The agenda will focus on discussing security aspects related to the eastern zone states, international borders, and inter-state border issues. The meeting is scheduled to take place at Nabanna Sabhaghar, located adjacent to the state secretariat.
In 2018, the then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had presided over a similar meeting at the state secretariat, with Banerjee participating and holding a joint news conference afterward. There is a possibility that Shah may also have a separate meeting with Banerjee, although the state government has not officially confirmed the Union Home Minister’s visit.
Additionally, Shah is slated to visit Kolkata in October to inaugurate a Durga Puja at Santosh Mitra Square, organized by BJP’s Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor Sajal Ghosh. Ghosh mentioned that they are awaiting Shah’s consent. In 2019, Shah inaugurated a Durga Puja in Salt Lake.
Recent attacks from the TMC include a T-shirt campaign featuring a cartoon of Shah with the caption ‘India’s Biggest Pappu.’ This campaign was launched by TMC’s youth wing following criticism from their party’s general secretary Abhishek Banerjee after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in a coal smuggling case earlier this month.
Shah’s visit occurs amidst ongoing investigations by central agencies into various scams, resulting in the arrests of TMC leaders and state government officials.
