Mamata Banerjee says Abhishek is TMC pick for foreign outreach

KOLKATA: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee nominated MP and TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to the all-party diplomatic mission abroad to counter Pakistan's narrative after Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju called her Tuesday, a day after she took umbrage at Centre naming MP and ex-cricketer Yusuf Pathan to the panel.

Mamata and Abhishek accused Centre of breaking protocol by picking MPs for the outreach without consulting the parties to which they belonged. However, both reaffirmed TMC's unwavering support to Centre in matters of national interest.

"Abhishek's presence will not only reflect Bengal's firm stand against terror but also strengthen India's collective voice on the global stage," reads a TMC statement.