The visit is considered significant in the backdrop of growing Maoist insurgency in the region and ally Trinamool Congress’s consistent demand of imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

Later in the evening, both met again at Raj Bhavan where Narayanan released a book — an anthology of various articles on Mukherjee, which has been edited by the minister’s aide Sukhendu Shekhar Ray.

In a gross violation of the protocol, Governor Narayanan came down to the portico of the Raj Bhavan to see Mukherjee off.

Meanwhile, Pranab Mukherjee shared dais with his Cabinet colleague and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in an attempt to quell reports of growing strain between the two. The leaders, who were seated together at the foundation ceremony of LIC policy holder’s housing scheme at New Alipore, not only showered praises on each other but were seen engrossed in a tête-à-tête for most of the time.