Mamata Banerjee skips PM Modi’s meeting with CMs amid rising COVID cases

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday did not attend a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in country, reports PTI. PM Modi held a review meeting chief ministers of different states amid rising coronavirus cases.

A top government official told PTI that the West Bengal CM was busy campaigning for the state elections and chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay attended the meeting instead of her.

At the meeting, Bandyopadhyay raised the issue of the need for more COVID-19 vaccine doses in West Bengal, the official said.

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The COVID-19 situation has been deteriorating in some parts of the country, raising concern over a possible second wave.

The Centre has urged the states concerned to step up containment efforts wherever needed.

India on Wednesday reported 28,903 new COVID-19 cases. Five states – Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu – continue to report a high number of daily COVID-19 cases, and account for 71.10% of the new infections. 

In a virtual interaction with the CMs over the rising cases and vaccination drive, PM Modi said, “If we do not stop it here, then a condition for a nationwide outbreak may emerge.”