West Bengal Chief Minister Dismisses Protocol Violation Claims as Politically Timed
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has firmly rejected allegations of a protocol breach during President Draupadi Murmu's program in Siliguri, questioning the timing of the criticism and suggesting it was "politically motivated." Speaking from a sit-in platform in central Kolkata on Sunday, Banerjee accused political opponents of targeting Bengal on the eve of assembly elections.
"Why? Why? Why?" Banerjee Questions Timing of Allegations
"You are targeting Bengal on the eve of assembly elections by saying whatever pleases you. Why? Why? Why?" Banerjee said during her address. Her remarks came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier accusation that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government had "insulted" a woman tribal leader and the President of the country.
In a dramatic counter-argument, Banerjee displayed an enlarged photograph showing Prime Minister Modi seated beside veteran BJP leader LK Advani while President Murmu stood nearby at a different event. "The picture shows that the PM is seated when the President is standing. We never do that. It is the BJP which carries the culture of insulting the President, not us," she claimed, presenting the photograph as what she called "evidence."
Full Respect for Constitutional Positions
Banerjee emphasized her administration's respect for constitutional positions, stating: "We have full respect for the chair of the President and the Constitution of India, which we consider our mother; do not blame us." She categorically denied any breach of protocol during President Murmu's visit to north Bengal, shifting responsibility to private organizers and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The controversy stems from President Murmu's expressed displeasure after finding neither the chief minister nor any cabinet ministers present to receive her at Bagdogra Airport on Saturday, where she arrived to attend an international tribal conference. The President had also voiced concern over the change in venue of the program near Siliguri.
State Government Claims Lack of Information
Banerjee maintained that the state government had not been properly informed about the details of the President's visit and had not been taken into confidence by the private organizers. She argued that logistical issues such as garbage at the venue, problems with the green room, and the absence of women's toilets should be addressed by the event managers and the AAI, on whose premises the program was held.
"We did not pick the venue, you did," she said pointedly. Banerjee also noted that Siliguri mayor Goutam Deb had followed protocol and was present to receive the President at Bagdogra Airport.
Dharna Commitment Cited as Reason for Absence
Explaining her own absence from the airport reception, Banerjee said: "I am sitting in a dharna to protect people's rights. How can I leave?" Her sit-in protest in Kolkata has been ongoing as part of her political activities.
The exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP in West Bengal, with both sides using the presidential visit to score political points ahead of crucial state elections. The protocol dispute has become another flashpoint in the increasingly contentious relationship between the central government and the West Bengal administration.
