India / Was invited for peace conference in Rome, Center did not give permission: Mamata

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of External Affairs has denied West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee permission to participate in the World Peace Conference to be held in Italy in October this year.

The clearance has been denied from a 'political angle' and because the "event is not commensurate in status for participation by the chief minister of a state".

The conference will be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. The event will be centred on Mother Teresa.

Earlier, the Italian government had requested Mamata Banerjee not to come with any delegates. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee then proposed industry delegation clearance and requested the Ministry of External Affairs for the same. However, the clearance was not given.

TMC REACTS

TMC spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev took to Twitter to express his opinion on the denial of permission to Mamata Banerjee.

He wrote, "Central government denied permission for Didi's Rome trip! Previously they've cancelled the permission of China trip too. We accepted that decision keeping international relations and India's interests in mind. Now why Italy Modi ji? What is your problem with Bengal? Chi!"