In a surprise move, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday not only extended civic reception to President Ram Nath Kovind whose candidature she had opposed in the presidential elections but also said she was personally beholden to him for his maiden visit to Bengal as the President.
Though it was not unusual for a President to extol a State Government and vise versa, the Tuesday’s bonhomie tended to catch many an eye with both the sides heaping praises on each other and the Chief Minister going a step ahead by presenting the First Citizen with her own painting.
Speaking at the grand function organised at the historic Netaji Indoor Stadium in the President’s honour Banerjee swore by his “simplicity and good gesture that Your Excellency have shown by visiting our State.”
Banerjee said, “I had not known that the President was also a Rajya Sabha Member when I was there in the lok Sabha. In fact he was so low profile that he would not let his presence felt. I think that very simplicity has made him the first citizen of India,” pleading, “I will request you to preserve this simplicity for us forever,” and continue to remain the “friend, philosopher and guide,” for her.
Banerjee’s gesture tended to stand out against the curious back drop of her pre-election attack on the NDA Government when she said how “BJP is trying to make an unheard of person” the President of India.
What again stood out as part of the “unexpected bonhomie,” was the reciprocal remarks from the President who said he was “overwhelmed” by the grand reception from the people of Bengal.
Thanking the Chief Minister for her “splendid gift” and the grand honour he received from the people.
Thanking the Chief Minister he said “I did not know that she had made this herself. But that I have known this it will not only adorn the walls of Rashtrapati Bhavan but also the gift will remain etched in my heart.”
Good words apart the President advised the State to keep a vigil “against cross-border terrorism and radical forces trying to take advantage of the democratic spaces of our country.”