Kolkata, April 27: Two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed in apolitical interview to actor Akshay Kumar that he has been regularly receiving pleasantries from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the CPI(M) and the Congress launched a joint offensive of the Trinamool Congress chief. The latter's Raj Babbar stoked a controversy, by remarking that Mamata knows the size of PM Modi's kurtas.

PM Modi had on Wednesday claimed that Didi, as the Bengal CM is popularly referred to, sends him kurtas and chenna sweets on regular basis despite being political adversaries. "The kurtas are selected by her for sending me as gift," he remarked on being asked about his relation with the Opposition leaders. Never Thought About Post Retirement Plans, Narendra Modi Tells Akshay Kumar. 

The Congress, which is at loggerheads with the Trinamool in Bengal, said Modi's remarks have hinted towards a tacit understanding between the two parties.

"Two products from West Bengal are famous across the world. One is sweets made of cottage cheese and another is the kurta. But till date, Mamata ji has not sent these to any of us or anyone else. If she wants to gift them, she sends it to only one person. So you can understand that she knows the size of the PM's kurta," Raj Babbar said.

Apart from the Congress leader, CP(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also lambasted the TMC citing Modi's claim of cordial relations with Mamata. "On one hand, they are doing kushti (wrestling) in Bengal, while having dosti (friendship) in Delhi. This will not work," the former Rajya Sabha MP said, adding that he has always accused the TMC of being hand-in-glove with the ruling BJP at the Centre.

Meanwhile, Mamata had brushed off questions related to smooth relations with the Prime Minister, saying that she has only paid courtesy in accordance with the Bengali culture. Senior party leader Partha Chatterjee, while reacting Babbar's remarks, said "he is not much experienced in politics" and is more rooted in cinema.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 27, 2019 11:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).