'Don't teach me...': West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's sharp retort to MEA's criticism for statement on Bangladesh

On Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reprimanded the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after they took objection to her remarks about providing shelter to refugees from violence-hit Bangladesh.

Defending her comments, Mamata Banerjee asserted that she is aware of the 'federal structure' well and also suggested MEA focus on learning from the system rather than criticising her.

"I know the federal structure very well. I was an MP seven times, I was a Union minister twice. I know the MEA policy better than anyone else. They shouldn’t teach me a lesson; they should learn from the system instead," Mamata Banerjee said. 

For the unversed, In an address at a public event in Kolkata, Banerjee, referring to violence-hit Bangladesh, said she would keep the doors of West Bengal open for people in distress from the neighbouring country and offer them shelter.

"I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since that is a sovereign nation… But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter," Mamata Banerjee said. 

There were reports in the Bangladeshi media that said Dhaka has communicated to New Delhi through diplomatic channels its displeasure over the West Bengal chief minister’s comments.

"I can confirm that we have received such a communication from the Bangladesh side. It is essentially on the lines described in the reports," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during his weekly media briefing while replying to a question.

Jaiswal, appearing to disapprove of Banerjee’s comments, said matters that bring "the Union into relation with any foreign country, are the sole prerogative" of the central government.

"I would underline that under the Seventh Schedule — List one — Union List — item 10 of our Constitution, the conduct of foreign affairs and all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country, are the sole prerogative of the Union government," he said. 

Bangladesh was reeling under deadly clashes with protesting students demanding the Sheikh Hasina-led government to scrap a controversial job quota system. Over 100 people were killed in the clashes that began weeks ago.

According to reports from Dhaka, the country has witnessed some improvement since Wednesday.

(With PTI inputs)