Hasina and I will find Teesta solution, have faith: Mamata Banerjee

The Teesta deal was previously shelved as Mamata had objected to the proposed quantum of waters.

“Have trust on me on the Teesta issue…I will have talks on the matter with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Mamata Banerjee said. (Source: Express Photo by Subham Dutta)

The fencing can never stop love to be spread. Please tell me what you want. We will try to fulfil. And with this, our relation will become stronger and smoother and there will be no obstruction,” these were the opening lines of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s address at the ‘Indo-Bangla cultural Adda’ Friday. She also appealed the intelligentsia of Bangladesh to trust her over Teesta water sharing issue and assured them that she and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would find out a “formula” that would serve both the nations.

Noted artists from Bangladesh and West Bengal were present at the Adda. The intellectuals, including Professor Anisur Rahman, author Ramendra Majumdar, noted artist Fakir Alamgir, and renowned director and actor Muhammad Aly Zaker, repeatedly raised the need for a solution to “the political issue” between Bangladesh and India.

Replying to the Bangla intellectuals, Banerjee said, “The issue over Land Boundary Agreement has been resolved and it will be ratified in Parliament soon. It was a very serious issue that has been resolved now. Land disputes are also over. We are working on the rehabilitation project and we have asked the central government to fund the rehabilitation process.”

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Reacting to Teesta water sharing, the most crucial issue for Bangladesh, she said, “As far as Teesta is concerned, I will urge you to have faith in me. Please understand West Bengal and Bangladesh both have problems regarding Teesta . We have to reach a common solution.

We have to formulate a solution. That solution, I and Hasina ji will find out when we will meet. When I have come here, I have Teesta on my mind and the issue will be discussed in the meeting between me and the Prime Minister. So have confidence in us.”

She said: “Teesta, Padma, Meghna — all these rivers belong to both the countries. And if somebody wants to divide then, they cannot. We were all one Bengal earlier. And now we will not allow any obstacle to come on our way when we are trying to strengthen our bond . We will break all barriers.”

Banerjee has been declared as a “VVIP” guest. Days before her visit, the government of Bangladesh issued a notification in which she was mentioned as “VVIP” and entitled to have “special security force” for her. The Bangla officials claimed that this order was issued at the behest of their Prime Minister.

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In Bangladesh, only visiting Prime Ministers and Presidents have allowed their own security.

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