West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said she didn't call back Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office during Cyclone Fani as she did not want to share the dais with "expiry PM" during the elections. Mamata Banerjee’s comments come after Modi said he had tried to speak to Mamata twice, but did not receive any response from her. Narendra Modi, while addressing a political rally in Tamluk, alleged that Banerjee is “least bothered about the people of Bengal”.

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Last week, Cyclone Fani battered coastal Odisha and wreaked havoc in Odisha, particularly in Puri district where the tropical had made landfall, killing at least 28 people and caused damage in parts of West Bengal as well.

The controversy emerged over reports alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called up Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to discuss the cyclone situation, but not called up Mamata Banerjee. Afterward, the PMO clarified that the TMC chief had not received the PM’s calls, though he had called her up twice. Banerjee had been out campaigning, and she had not called back.

The PMO said that they twice tried to connect the PM to Banerjee on phone. The first time, the staff were told that she is on tour, and the call will be returned. On the second occasion too, the PMO staff were told by the Chief Minister's office that the call will be returned.

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