President Murmu cries foul over Mamata; PM terms it shameful
A major row has erupted after President Droupadi Murmu was not accorded a State Government’s protocol upon her arrival in West Bengal, as neither Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nor any of her Cabinet representatives were present at Bagdogra Airport.
Murmu, in her capacity as President of India, is not known for making political remarks, also wondered over the sudden change of venue for the tribal community’s annual programme from Bidhannagar to Goshaipur, where the turnout was reportedly low.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it a shameful, unprecedented turn of events in West Bengal, Banerjee alleged that the BJP was using the Rashtrapati Bhavan to malign the State Government. Banerjee said it was not always possible for her to attend such programmes in the run-up to elections. According to the protocol, the Chief Minister or a minister of the State Government is usually present to receive the President. Banerjee was on a protest demonstration against the alleged Election Commission SIR drive.
Murmu was received by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey. Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was the only representative from the State present at the airport to receive her.
Murmu said Mamata Banerjee was like her “younger sister”, but wondered whether the CM was “upset” as neither she nor any State minister was present to receive her during her visit to north Bengal.
“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 said, addressing a gathering of tribals at Bidhannagar near Siliguri after attending a programme at Goshaipur near Bagdogra airport earlier during the day.
“Had the programme been held there (at Bidhannagar), it would have been better. There is ample space there, and many people could have attended. But I do not know why the State administration did not permit the meeting there. Today’s programme is being held at such a place that it is difficult for people to come here. Perhaps the State Government does not want the welfare of tribals, and that is why they were prevented from coming here,” Murmu said.
Accusing the West Bengal Government of insulting President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the TMC dispensation has “truly crossed all limits”. Modi said that the office of the President is above politics and its sanctity should always be respected. He expressed the hope that better sense will prevail among the West Bengal government and the ruling TMC.
The PM said that the pain and anguish expressed by the President, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people of India. “The TMC Government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President,” the PM remarked on social media.
Modi said it is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal Government.
Banerjee hit out at Murmu for questioning the pace of development among tribals in the State, accusing her of indulging in politics ahead of the Assembly polls “at the behest of the BJP”. “BJP has stooped so low that they are using President Droupadi Murmu to malign the State,” the CM said at a protest site in Kolkata.
“I can welcome you if you come once a year, but if you come during elections, it won’t be possible for me to attend your programmes as I am busy with people’s rights,” she said at the SIR protest site in Kolkata.
Murmu was invited to the annual programme of the tribal community, which was originally scheduled to be held at Bidhannagar in Siliguri. However, citing security and other logistical reasons, authorities shifted the venue to Goshaipur near Bagdogra airport.
