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Even as protests continued in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 12 January, addressed a the gathering at 150th anniversary function of Kolkata Port Trust at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium.
“I announce the renaming of the Kolkata Port Trust to Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port. He is a living legend who was a leader for development and fought on the forefront for the idea of One Nation, One Constitution,” PM Modi said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee however, was not present at the event.
The prime minister had earlier addressed a gathering at Belur Math and said that a section of the youth is being misguided about the Citizenship Amendment Act. He also asserted that it will not take away anybody's citizenship.
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Modi to Hold One-on-One Meeting With CM Mamata Banerjee
Apart from attending scheduled programmes, the prime minister will hold a one-on-one meeting with Banerjee at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday evening.
The meeting assumes significance as the new citizenship law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with Banerjee's Trinamool Congress opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.
The West Bengal administration has made elaborate security arrangements for the visit.
Several opposition parties, including the CPI(M) and the Congress, and some student organisations are scheduled to hold protests across the city against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens.
The prime minister will introduce four refurbished heritage buildings in Kolkata - the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House and the Victoria Memorial Hall.
These iconic galleries have been renovated and refurbished with new exhibitions, while curating the old galleries.
Students of Ramakrishna Mission voiced their displeasure ahead of PM Modi's visit to Belur Math on 11 January. They have written to authorities to cancel this visit.
PM Modi will avoid all road routes as protests have been planned across the city before his visit.
The ruling Trinamool Congress students wing as well Left Front activists have begun their protest separately against the amended Citizenship Act in various parts of West Bengal ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the state starting on Saturday.
Trinamool Congress students' wing, TMCP, began their 'dharna' against CAA, NRC and National Population Register (NPR) on Friday at Rani Rashmoni Road in Kolkata.
The Left Front activists staged protests on Saturday against the new citizenship law in various parts of North 24 Parganas district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Kolkata Airport on Saturday amid amidst protests outside it against CAA.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reached Raj Bhavan.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold a one-on-one meeting with Banerjee in the evening.
PM Modi meets West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata.
Speaking to the media after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she has asked the prime minister to reconsider NRC, NPR and CAA adding that the people in Bengal are not accepting it.
“PM Modi has said that he is here for certain programmes. So he asked me to come to Delhi for a meeting,” Banerjee added.
After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in a demonstration which was held by Trinamool Chhatra Parishad in Kolkata, against CAA and NRC.
Speaking at the protest site, Banerjee said that the CAA notification will only be on paper and it will never be implemented. This comes a day after the Home Ministry issued a notification that the Act will come into effect from 10 January across India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a statue at Old Currency Building in Kolkata.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that people from Delhi glorify themselves in the name of Swami Vivekananda, but we work on Swami Vivekanada’s ideology throughout the year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attend event as part of 150th anniversary celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the protesters at Esplanade in Kolkata and asked them to remain calm and peaceful. However, angry protesters raised angry slogans against Banerjee.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for Belur Math by boat after attending programmes in Kolkata.
After students raised slogans against Mamata Banerjee for meeting PM Modi, Mamata tried to pacify the crowd and said that it was her constitutional duty to meet the PM.
“We have not invited him. He has come for his own work with his own SPG. It was our obligation to assign a minister in waiting and that too we assigned Firhad Hakim who is from the minority community, that they have the most problem with,” Banerjee added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the amended citizenship act while addressing an event in West Bengal’s Belur Math on Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary on Sunday, 12 January.
“I repeat again, the citizenship act is not to revoke anyone's citizenship, but it is to give citizenship,” he said, adding that the youth are being misguided by rumours on CAA.
“Five years ago, there was disappointment among the youth of the country, but the situation has changed now,” the prime minister added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 12 January, addressing a the gathering at 150th anniversary function of Kolkata Port Trust renamed the port to Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port.
“I announce the renaming of the Kolkata Port Trust to Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port. He is a living legend who was a leader for development and fought on the forefront for the idea of One Nation, One Constitution,” PM Modi said.
The chief minister was not present at the event.
Meanwhile, members of Congress Chhatra Parishad showed black flags to PM Modi's envoy outside the venue. Protesters have been detained.
Published: 11 Jan 2020,10:03 AM IST