West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is now in Dhaka and her visit is expected to solve the imbroglio over exchange of enclaves and the Teesta water deal. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been pushing for the implementation of a Teesta water sharing agreement to facilitate dry season flow into her country. In September 2010, Mamata opposed the sharing of Teesta waters apprehending that the agreement might affect West Bengal farmers adversely. She has already indicated a change in her attitude regarding the exchange of enclaves. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders have disclosed that she has also worked out a compromise formula on the sharing of Teesta waters. An accord will be a satisfactory prelude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka slated for March and will bring the West Bengal government and the Centre closer. Noted river expert Kalyan Rudra is looking into the technicalities of water sharing. A Parliamentary Committee headed by Shashi Tharoor has submitted a report on the Land Boundary Agreement. It has got the TMC’s support and Mamata Banerjee wants its prompt implementation in the national interest. She has laid great emphasis on the fact that West Bengal and Bangladesh are linked by one language and cultural affinities.
What is not clear is Banerjee’s attitude to the turmoil in Bangladesh. She is parleying with the Awami League government. But Khaleda Zia, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, is at war with Sheikh Hasina. Street fighting is on with the Opposition challenging the constitutionality of the government. Mamata Banerjee should not cause Opposition hackles to be raised nor should Narendra Modi. The Northeast depends on stability in Bangladesh to fight insurgency on its soil.
