Royal pat in advance

Devadeep Purohit, TT, Thimphu, Oct. 6: Mamata Banerjee today said the king of Bhutan had "congratulated" her "in advance" for the Assembly elections next year.

After meeting King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the royal residence, Lingkana Palace, in Thimphu on the second day of her four-day trip to Bhutan, the chief minister said: "I extended an invitation to the King to visit our state.... His Majesty said he would visit us after the next election and also congratulated me in advance."

Mamata, who is on her first visit to the Himalayan country, and King Wangchuck were closeted for 50 minutes. The chief minister turned up in a beige sari with a shawl draped around her and her trademark white slippers. In July, she had visited Buckingham Palace to meet Prince Andrew in similar attire.

The "simplicity" of the chief minister, who went out for a morning walk today in Thimphu as she had done in London, has bowled over the people of Bhutan, where the royal family is known for its modest living. Lingkana Palace is a humble accommodation on the banks of the Thimphu Chhu river.

Aware that Mamata does not like riding on the big cars the government provides to visiting dignitaries, the Bhutanese authorities have made available a hatchback for her, a source said.

After the royal audience with the King, Mamata went to the Tara temple in Thimphu. Accompanied by senior state government officials and industrialists, the chief minister spent around 45 minutes at the temple, where a prayer was held to mark her visit.

Later, Mamata attended a high tea hosted by the Indian ambassador, Gautam Bambawale, where senior Bhutanese officials and industrialists from both countries were present.

Today's meeting with King Wangchuck was the high point of Mamata's trip as the royal family plays a key role in the economic and foreign affairs of the fledgling democracy.

"I informed the king we are trying for greater economic co-operation between the two countries and he appreciated the efforts," Mamata said.

According to her, the Bengal government's recent announcement on leave travel concession for employees will boost tourism in Bhutan. The efforts by the two countries to harness the hydro-power potential of Bhutan will also benefit the two countries, Mamata said.