PM Modi slams Mamata over Murmu protocol row
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday slammed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over President Droupadi Murmu’s recent displeasure regarding alleged “mismanagement” at a Santhal community event, calling it an insult to the President and the spirit of democracy.
“Today, as the nation celebrates International Women’s Day, it is deeply concerning that just yesterday, the TMC Government in West Bengal demonstrated a grave insult towards the honourable President of India, Draupadi Murmu,” the PM said after inaugurating two new Delhi Metro corridors and laying the foundation stone for three more metro lines.
“It is said in our country that no matter how powerful a person is, he is ultimately destroyed by ego. Today, from the nation’s capital, I am appealing to all of you that the dirty politics and arrogance of power of the TMC, which insulted the dignity of a tribal President, will soon be shattered. The enlightened people of West Bengal will never forgive the TMC for insulting a woman, a tribal, the President of the country. The country will never forgive them either. The tribal community of the country will never forgive them. The women of the country will never forgive them,” the PM said. On Sunday, the PM inaugurated projects worth INR 33,500 crore.
PM Modi said the TMC Government’s actions not only resulted in the mismanagement of the tribal community event but also constituted an affront to the President, the Constitution and the noble tradition of democracy in the country.
Meanwhile, the Union Government has sought a response from the West Bengal Government over suspected violations of protocol related to venue and route arrangements.
In a letter to the West Bengal chief secretary, Union home secretary Govind Mohan sought a detailed explanation regarding alleged breaches to procedures that govern protocol, venue and route arrangements. According to sources, the Union Home Secretary has flagged four points: Why the CM, the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police were not present to receive and see off the President, why there was no water in the washroom set up for President, why the route chosen by the administration was laden with garbage and What action has been taken against the district magistrate, Darjeeling, the Commissioner of Police, Siliguri and the Additional District Magistrate.
“Mamata Banerjee is like my younger sister. I am also a daughter of Bengal. I do not know whether she is upset. Anyway, that does not matter. All of you stay well,” the President had said. She also questioned the change of venue for the tribal community’s annual programme from Bidhannagar to Goshaipur, where the turnout was reportedly low.
