Mamata the main villain

by Deepak Roy from Kolkata
October 3, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1859/mamata-the-main-villain

The Indo - Bangladesh relations now is at an eddy although a historic opportunity was become brighten to build up relation like an earthquake proved base. Questions are now being reeled across India- Q: Which Prime minister of India has been humiliated in a foreign country? A: Dr. Monmohan Singh. Q: Where? A: In Bangladesh. Q: When? A: On 6 September, 2011 in a state visit there. Q: By whom? A: Not from his counterpart in Bangladesh but by Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal and the Congress's ally of second UPA government.

Mamata Banerjee suddenly changed her mind and pulled out just ahead of the Prime minister's high - profile visit to Bangladesh and clearly came as a huge national embarrassment to the Indian government.

The Indian Prime minister's much talked visit to Bangladesh and its ground works including paper works for few important treaties eventually started long ago say after the visit of Bangladesh' Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in January, 2010. Agreement on the Teesta river water sharing was taking shape after several rounds of discussion even with West Bengal's chief minister and she was briefed by National Security Advisor - Shiv Shankar Menon and central water & irrigation Secretary, besides envoys from Bangladesh also visited her. Dr. Manmohan Singh was under the impression that the treaty had Mamata Banerjee's concurrence since she had also opted to accompany Prime minister to Bangladesh along with four chief ministers of Assam, Meghalaya, Monipur and Tripura - bordering states of India with Bangladesh. Just 48 hours before the scheduled visit of Prime minister, she suddenly sprung on her about the Teesta river water sharing treaty and categorically said that she was not apprised details of the agreement. The Prime minister's visit to Bangladesh and subsequent treaties including that of Teesta River was not fixed up in a short notice. Mamata Banerjee played card here those play in political field, national interest is lesser value. Prime minister - Dr. Manmohan Singh should have aware about Mamata Banerjee's dramatic posture. The 2nd UPA government passing through a crucial juncture with lot of odd things and government's stability is now in question mark, so Prime minister failed to show his firmness in signing the treaty. For greater interest of the country and to overcome from embarrassment Dr. Manmohan Singh had the opportunity to overrule Mamata Banerjee and to sign the treaty in Bangladesh. As per Indian constitution, the Central government enjoys prerogative and to sign any international treaty overruling state's objection or without consultation.

Foreign policy of any country is based on mutual trust and benefit, it is always on "give and take" policy, and especially with the neighbouring country, it will have to maintain a balancing act despite of delicate situation. In the greater national interest India must have to compromise with Bangladesh for lot of advantages.

The Prime minister was unable to persuade Mamata Banerjee for which India failed to secure highly sensitive - connectivity to its Northeast. Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh's Prime Minister after knowing high risk not only on her political carrier but on life too, she was agreed in principle to provide transit facilities to India which was seeking for decades. India lost this golden opportunity of transit facilities which could have immense benefit to the Northeast states.

Bangladesh- as a lower riparian always needs a guaranteed flow of water throughout the year for its agriculture which is the country's life line. It is most vital on Bangladesh for accord on the sharing of Teesta's water including that of Muhuri, Khowai,Feni,Manu, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar. In 1996 a historic 30-year Ganges water treaty was signed between two countries and the then chief minister of West Bengal - Jyoti Basu played a pivotal role in signing the accord and thus showed his statesmanship but Mamata Banerjee casted as the main villain.

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