"I will not say anything on Teesta''-Mamata

(PTI Reported):

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today remained tight-lipped on whether she would discuss the contentious Teesta river issue with Bangladeshi leaders during her 3-day visit to that country.

Banerjee, who will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, however, is hopeful of a solution to the long pending Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between the two countries. "I will not say anything on Teesta. Ask if you have anything else (to ask)," the chief minister told reporters hours before her departure. Banerjee had earlier proved to be a stumbling block when the UPA II government was closing in on the LBA. In 2011, she had backed out from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh opposing the Teesta water-sharing treaty. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj telephoned her today and expressed good wishes for her visit, Banerjee said. "The relation between the two countries is cordial. I will try to act as a bridge in bettering the relation," she said describing her impending visit as "historic". Banerjee said she would have a one-to-one meeting with Hasina besides calling on Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid. On the LBA, she said her government has given proposals to the Centre for rehabilitation of the people and is hopeful of a good response from the Central government. "I have already told you (on the state government's latest stand) about the enclaves. It is a sensitive matter. Please, you definitely want that the relations between the two countries improve," the chief minister said. "We have already said let there be a settlement to the land dispute. We have talked to the people living in enclaves. And I myself undertook a visit for that purpose. We have asked the Centre to prepare a rehabilitation package," she said. "If it is done, immediately the implementation would be done. It is in good stage and positive stage," she said. Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress Chief, said what else she has to say, she would do it in Bangladesh. India will exchange 111 enclaves measuring 17,160 acres to Bangladesh and receive 51 enclaves covering 7,110 acres. Almost 51,000 people reside in these enclaves. The territories involved in the exchange are in Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura. Asked whether she would discuss with Bangladeshi leaders about anti-India terrorist outfits based in that country, Banerjee said, "This is an issue which is discussed between two countries. Hopefully I will not cross the limit." Stating that she considers Bangladesh as her home, she said, "We want linkage of cultural bonds between two Banglas (West Bengal and Bangladesh). We want strengthening of ties in the fields of culture, business, transport and tourism." "At one time we had been one. Today we are still one in our culture, language and heritage," she said. "We have been releasing Bangladeshis, mostly fishermen, held as prisoners. Bangladeshi government is also reciprocating," the chief minister said referring to the release of 111 Bangladeshi fishermen yesterday. Banerjee said she would attend the programme on February 21 to pay tribute to language martyrs in Bangladesh which is observed every year as 'Bhasha Divas'. "I feel proud that the Bangladesh government has invited us on the occasion of Bhasa Divas," she said adding a replica of the famous Bhasha Shahid memorial of Dhaka would be built in Kolkata with slight modification by painter Jogen Chowdhury. Stating that she had last visited Bangladesh 17 years ago, she said it is a very emotional moment for her.