File photo of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
In his raging turf war with the Centre, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has found support from his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee.
"Too much interference in the federal structure is unacceptable. The state government is an elected body. Central government is also an elected body. Every elected body has its own jurisdiction. One must respect the other," Ms Banerjee said in a series of tweets today.
Mr Kejriwal retweeted her tweets and reportedly called up Ms Banerjee today, but it is not clear whether he spoke to her before or after her tweets.
This is not the first time that she has publicly supported Arvind Kejriwal. Earlier this year, she had caused a flutter with a tweet urging the people of Delhi to vote for Mr Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party. Mr Kejriwal and his party have alleged that the ruling BJP is trying to rule Delhi through the Lieutenant Governor, who is a representative of the Centre in the capital.
In an escalating turf war, the Kejriwal government has refused to accept Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung's orders on officers' appointments, and has decided to fight for full statehood for Delhi.
In Mamata Banerjee, the AAP chief has a kindred spirit, they both have fought bitterly against the BJP and have refused to cede ground on powers of the state.
Earlier this month, however, PM Modi and Mamata Banerjee shared a stage in Burnpur in Bengal and talked about cooperation between the Centre and states."Past is past," PM Modi said. The Chief Minister commented: "When we work together, the country progresses."