Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday referred to the contentious water-sharing issue of the Teesta river as she lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government.

“They didn’t bother to consult the state (Bengal) government before finalising the sharing of Teesta waters…we have cordial relations with Bangladesh and I respect (its) Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina….But we can afford to provide water only when we have enough for ourselves,” she said, coining a slogan, “Teesta, Uttarbanga ka hissa (Teesta, a part of north Bengal)”.

Mamata’s stance is being seen as a two-fold strategy to fan the sentiments of north Bengal voters and exert pressure on Modi, who is supposed to visit Bangladesh — with which the water-sharing treaty is yet to be inked — this month.

The Bangladesh government for years has been speaking on a treaty to ensure more water supply from the Teesta to its country. While the Centre wants the treaty, the Mamata government has not assented, as during the lean season, water levels are abysmal.

A commitment to Bangladesh can pose a problem for certain areas of north Bengal, it avers.

The Teesta flows down Sikkim and moves through districts of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in Bengal to enters Bangladesh near Mekhliganj in Cooch Behar.

Last December, when Hasina and Modi attended a virtual bilateral summit, Hasina had raised the issue again.

It, sources said, is likely to be raised again during Modi’s proposed visit to Bangladesh on March 26, when Bangladesh celebrates its 50th Independence Day.

A political analyst pointed out that ahead of Assembly elections, Mamata is trying to put the pressure back on BJP on the Teesta water issue. On the other hand, there is consistent pressure from Bangladesh.

“It is evident that she tried to stoke the sentiments of north Bengal residents, particularly those living in the districts through which the river passes,” pointed a political observer.

“She also took up the onus to prove the point that the BJP is not sincere in considering the interests of the people here who use the Teesta water for several purposes.”

“It would be interesting to see how the Prime Minister and his government handle the situation. It cannot afford to strain its ties with Bangladesh. On the other hand, any abrupt move or commitment on the sharing of Teesta’s water can antagonise voters in north Bengal where the BJP had performed well in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.”