Vajpayee: WB BJP to Invite Mamata in All-party Condolence Meet

Kolkata, Aug 18 (PTI) The BJP West Bengal unit has decided to organize a condolence meeting for the late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, where leaders from various political parties including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be invited, a senior party leader said.

Banerjee, also the chief of the ruling Trinamool Congress, was a minister in Vajpayee's cabinet.

"We will hold an all-party condolence and prayer meeting for Vajpayee ji in Kolkata this month. He was not only a former prime minister but was one of the greatest mass leaders of Independent India. He was loved and respected across party lines," BJP president Dilip Ghosh told PTI.

Eminent politicians including Mamata Banerjee will be invited at the condolence meeting, Ghosh said.

"We will also invite eminent citizens. His friends and admirers in Kolkata will be invited," he said.

Asked whether the BJP expects leaders across political lines especially the TMC to attend the condolence meet, another state BJP leader said it was for the TMC to decide.

The TMC declined to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, as part of the BJP's programme to immerse Vajpayee's ashes in various rivers across the country, the 'asthi kalash' will be brought to Kolkata tomorrow and will be taken to Gangasagar where it will be immersed on Tuesday, a party leader said.

Vajpayee's ashes will be immersed in various rivers across the country, starting with the Ganga at Haridwar tomorrow, the BJP leadership has said in New Delhi today. PTI

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