"It is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and tea," says Mamata Banerjee in a veiled reponse to PM Modi's remark on receving sweets from her

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sends him sweets and kurtas every year, the TMC supremo said on Wednesday that it is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given to his party.

Banerjee made the comments at a rally in Serampore in Hooghly district against the backdrop of Modi's interview to actor Akshay Kumar aired by TV channels in which the prime minister mentioned her gifts to him.

"It is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and tea. We also greet them on special occasions. This is our tradition. We welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given(to BJP)," the Trinamool Congress(TMC) supremo said without naming Modi.

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While speaking about his friends in Opposition to Akshay Kumar in a candid 'non-political' interview, PM Narendra Modi shared an unusual anecdote about the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Adding that this might amaze everyone, he revealed that Mamata Banerjee sends Kurtas and Bengali sweets to him every year. Read here:

"You will be amazed, Mamata Didi, even now, selects one-two kurtas and send to me each year. Also, sweets as well. I had spoken about Bengali sweets to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, during my visit, so, even now, she sends me new Bengali sweets especially from Dhaka three-four times in a year. Then after Mamata Didi came to know about it, she also sends Bengali sweets to me once a year."

Moreover the Bollywood actor asked PM Modi if his humor is intact after he took the Prime Ministerial office, because he holds the perception of being a strict administrator, to which he responded saying that those who say this are analysing it incorrectly. 

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"This image is wrong. All those who say that I make them work are not doing a correct analysis. Yes they can say that there is a lot of work. But I believe in creating a work culture. See earlier PMs would go at 7 or 8 in the evening after finishing their work.  Now I sit in the office even till midnight. Even at 11, I call them and ask if the work is done. So they see and they learn. As far as strict is concerned then I have a discipline. If someone is using a mobile phone during meetings, they are wasting time on other things. I ask them about what is happening, they have no answer, then I said no mobiles in my meetings. My phone doesn't ring even once. This shows I am dedicating my time to them."

(With PTI inputs)