Speaker of Bengal Assembly invited to Kumbh Mela

Kolkata: Speaker of Bengal legislative Assembly Biman Banerjee has been invited to the Kumbh Mela by the Speaker of Uttar Pradesh legislative Assembly Satish Mahana.

Banerjee accepted the invitation from his counterpart in Uttar Pradesh but has informed him that he would not be able to attend because of some preoccupations. He has however wished successful hosting of the world’s largest religious gathering.

The invitation assumes significance with Bengal Chief Minister on several occasions being vocal about the centre’s apathy towards Gangasagar Mela. Banerjee has been demanding national status for the Gangasagar Mela and has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue.

According to Assembly sources, Mahana had called up Banerjee for extending the invitation and the latter too invited Mahana to come to Gangasgar Mela.

When Mahana informed Banerjee that he would not be able to come this year with the Kumbh Mela happening, Banerjee asked him to come to Gangasagar at a later stage as per his suitable timings.