Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting the eastern state for two days, at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on Friday evening.

Calling the meeting a courtesy call, Banerjee told reporters the meeting: "The meeting happened as per protocol and was meant to discuss matters of governance and cooperation.

"I discussed some issues of the state with the prime minister and chatted with him," she said.

Asked about the issue of the Centre's dues to the state, which the ruling TMC has been flagging frequently, Banerjee said, "I raised that matter also."

Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed public rallies in the state and inaugurated several government projects. He is staying the night at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata.

Banerjee's convoy entered the governor's house shortly after the prime minister arrived there.

Taking to X, Governor C V Ananda Bose said he received the PM at the Raj Bhavan.

Bose had also attended the prime minister's official programme at Arambagh earlier in the day where PM Modi inaugurated, dedicated, and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,200 crore.

In an unsparing attack on the Mamata Banerjee government, PM Modi said the entire country is "sad" and "angry" over the Sandeshkhali case where arrested and now suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan is charged with land grabbing and sexual abuse of women.

Slamming Mamata Banerjee for her role in the entire case, the Prime Minister said the Chief Minister helped the accused to remain absconded instead of helping out the women from Sandeshkhali, an island in North 24 Parganas.

"The TMC leader was absconding for almost 2 months. There must be someone who helped him to remain absconded," Modi said and added, "People are asking Didi that whether some people's vote is more important than the pain of Sandeshkhali mothers?"