West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee arrives in Mumbai for I-N-D-I-A meeting, meets Amitabh Bachchan

Mamata Banerjee. File Pic

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived in Mumbai on the eve of the two-day meeting of the opposition I-N-D-I-A bloc on Wednesday, reported the PTI.

Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday also met Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan at the latter's residence in Mumbai, according to the PTI.

The Trinamool Congress chief was welcomed at the city airport by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and members of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising NCP and Congress.

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Soon after arrival at Mumbai airport for attending the two-day meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I-N-D-I-A) on August 31 and September 1, Banerjee drove to Amitabh Bachchan's residence in suburban Juhu.

There were reports that Amitabh Bachchan had invited her to tea at his residence during her Mumbai visit.

Amitabh Bachchan had attended the inaugural function of last year's Kolkata International Film Festival, where Banerjee demanded that he be accorded the country's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday evening.

Leaders from southern states are expected to reach Mumbai by late evening on Wednesday, a Mumbai Congress leader said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said as many as 63 representatives from 28 political parties will attend the third meeting of the I-N-D-I-A alliance on August 31 and September 1.

The I-N-D-I-A bloc's first meeting was held in Patna in June, while the second one took place in Bengaluru in mid-July. The Bengaluru conclave had finalised the name of the alliance -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress has formed several committees to plan various aspects of the meeting of the opposition grouping.

Talking to reporters after meeting Bachchan and his family members, Banerjee said she has invited the actor to visit Kolkata.

"Amit ji is our Bharat Ratna. His family has also made a big contribution to the film industry," she said, reported the PTI.

"Today I tied rakhi to Amit ji. Today is a big day," Mamata Banerjee said, according to the news agency.

Meanwhile, as many as 63 representatives from 28 political parties will attend the third meeting of I-N-D-I-A meet on August 31 and September 1, NCP president Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, Pawar expressed confidence that the opposition alliance will provide a formidable alternative to bring about political change.

(with PTI inputs)