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Governor M.K. Narayanan at Sunday’s programme. (Bishwarup Dutta)
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Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday missed out on an opportunity to rebuild bridges with the Marwari business community as her government remained unrepresented at a programme kicking off the 100-year celebrations of The Marwari Relief Society Hospital.
Governor M.K. Narayanan, however, was present and heaped praise on the community for philanthropic activities, exemplified by the 222-bed hospital run on donations from members of the community.
“We operate...with no aid from the central or state governments.... Is it too much to expect the state government’s presence to show its appreciation?” asked an office-bearer of the society.
The Telegraph reported on Sunday that Mamata had expressed her inability to attend the programme, citing prior appointments.
Trinamul MP Sudip Bandopadhyay also stayed away. sending a letter to the organisers stating that he had to rush to Delhi as his personal secretary had passed away.
The state government’s relationship with the Marwari community has been strained ever since a perception gained ground after the AMRI fire that all the accused had not been treated equally.
Trinamul sources attributed Mamata’s reluctance to attend the event to the scheduled presence of the co-owner of AMRI Hospitals and chairman of Emami Group, R.S. Agarwal. But he, too, excused himself on health grounds.
A message from Mamata read out at the venue received tepid response. The speaker urged the audience to applaud “messiah” Mamata, who “rushes to the aid of the underprivileged”. What he did not mention is that the letter was written on February 4 and is part of the granth released by the governor. The applause for Bandopadhyay’s message was more spontaneous, specially the portion that mentioned Mamata would “definitely attend future programmes”.
The loudest cheers were, however, reserved for the governor, who had the audience in splits when he said: “I am a great admirer of Marwaris. Wish I was younger. I would have married a Marwari girl. But it’s too late now.”
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