Kolkata, 10 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will not attend the Eastern Zonal Council meeting scheduled for Thursday in Ranchi, which will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to a senior minister in the state cabinet, Banerjee had prior commitments and therefore will not be able to participate in the meeting.

In her absence, West Bengal will be represented by Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge), Chandrima Bhattacharya. The meeting is expected to bring together representatives from the four member states of the Eastern Zonal Council—West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha—to discuss regional cooperation and inter-state issues.

CM to Prioritize Meeting with Omar Abdullah in Kolkata

Instead of attending the council meeting in Ranchi, Banerjee will remain in Kolkata to host a pre-scheduled meeting with Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the state secretariat, Nabanna. The meeting, set for Thursday afternoon, is expected to focus on a range of key issues, reflecting growing cooperation between the two states.

Last month, in the wake of a terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Banerjee had swiftly dispatched a five-member delegation to Jammu & Kashmir to assess the security and peace situation. During that visit, the delegation met with Omar Abdullah, who had appreciated the prompt gesture and support extended by the West Bengal government.

The Eastern Zonal Council is one of six such councils in India, designed to enhance regional collaboration and foster coordination among member states. While Banerjee’s absence may be noted, her government’s representation at the meeting is expected to ensure the state’s views are adequately presented.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh