Politics has intensified in West Bengal regarding the recent visit of the President. The round of allegations and counter-allegations continues between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Trinamool Congress has targeted the Prime Minister over a two-year old photograph, in which President Draupadi Murmu is seen standing while the Prime Minister is seen sitting on a chair.
Trinamool targeted by showing old picture
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee raised questions on the Prime Minister by showing this picture in a public rally. He said that the Prime Minister talks big about the respect for the office of the President, but the picture shows something different. Mamta Banerjee said, ‘The country’s first tribal woman President is standing and the Prime Minister is sitting comfortably on the chair. If you respect the President, why so? He said that this picture shows who actually respects the President and who does not.
The picture was taken during the Bharat Ratna award in 2024
This picture is said to be of March 31, 2024. That day, President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi had met senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani and honored him with Bharat Ratna. This photo was taken during that time, which has now been shared by Trinamool Congress on social media.
Mamata Banerjee’s clarification on President’s visit
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also said that the program which the President attended was not organized by the state government but by a private organization. He said that the state government was not involved in organizing that program. He accused the Prime Minister that before every election he comes to Bengal like a ‘vote bird’ and blames the state government.
The President expressed his displeasure in the program
President Draupadi Murmu had reached West Bengal on Saturday to attend the International Santal Conference held in Darjeeling. Addressing the program, he said that usually during the President’s visit, the Chief Minister and other ministers are present to welcome him, but this time it did not happen. She said that the Governor had also been changed at that time and he too was not present, but as it was a scheduled programme, she came to attend the programme. The President also said that Mamata Banerjee is like his ‘younger sister’ and he does not know whether she is angry with him or not.
Questions were also raised on changing the venue of the program
The President also raised questions regarding changing the venue of the program. He said that he did not understand why the state administration did not give permission for the program at the previously decided place. He said that the new place is such that it is difficult for people to reach and perhaps the state government is not giving priority to the welfare of the tribals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described this entire incident as ‘shameful and unprecedented’. He said that all the people who believe in democracy and empowerment of tribal society are saddened by this. He said that the pain and suffering of the President, who herself comes from the tribal community, has hurt the entire country.
Center sought report from the state government
Considering the matter as serious, the Central Government has sought a report from the state administration. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has summoned a report from West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty on the alleged negligence during the program.
