Updated: December 3, 2020 7:25:32 am
Mamata Banerjee. (PTI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s scheduled speech to the Oxford Union on Wednesday was canceled at the last minute after the debating society tried to postpone it citing “unforeseen circumstances”.
Banerjee was destined to become the Indian Prime Minister to address the prestigious debating society, which has hosted such personalities as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and United States President Ronald Reagan in the past.
According to the state government, the chief minister was due to begin her online speech at around 2.30pm on Wednesday, and at around 1.50pm, the organizers requested that the program be rescheduled.
“Today afternoon, the organizers suddenly sought to postpone and reschedule the program at the last minute! The request has been made by phone from the organizers, citing some unforeseen problems, a while ago. The program with Oxford Union is today canceled, ”tweeted the West Bengal Department of the Interior.
Offering their “sincerest apologies”, the Oxford Union in an email to the West Bengal government wrote: “Our audience sent a lot of questions and we were all working hard to put together a number of elements. However, sometimes nothing takes precedence over circumstances; It seems. I sincerely hope that the Honorable Chief Minister understands us and honors us with her esteemed presence as soon as possible. With your permission, I will pass on your details to my successor, to whom I am giving you this Friday. “
According to sources at the Secretary of State, Banerjee was expected to speak about the social assistance plans launched by his government and had received the invitation in July.
“Previously, the visits proposed by the CM from Bengal to China, Chicago, St Stephen’s (College in) Delhi were canceled on short notice. Who blocks these programs? It is known that tremendous pressure was exerted from the highest levels on the organizers. India’s most respected opposition leader. Elections coming soon! Got it? “Said the TMC in a statement.
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