BJP leaders, including Union Ministers, went to great lengths to show Ms. Banerjee in a bad light over the meeting. In an unprecedented act, the Centre unilaterally placed the West Bengal Chief Secretary under central deputation. Ms. Banerjee said she was delayed for the meeting with the PM only because of air traffic regulations for the landing of the PM’s aircraft. The defeat could have been an occasion for the BJP to introspect and mend its strategy for West Bengal. The BJP must wake up to the tradition of Centre and States constantly negotiating their relations in good faith.

Source: The Hindu May 30, 2021 18:33 UTC