In Shorts
- Mamata Banerjee denies allegations of insulting President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to West Bengal.
- She counters PM Modi by showing a 2024 photo and claims he earlier disrespected the President.
- The dispute has escalated into a major political confrontation between the Centre and the Bengal government.
A sharp political confrontation erupted on Sunday after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected accusations that her government insulted Droupadi Murmu during the President’s recent visit to the state. Banerjee instead alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously disrespected the President and displayed a photograph to support her claim.
The controversy began after Modi criticised the ruling Trinamool Congress government, saying the President had been insulted during an event linked to the tribal community in West Bengal. The Prime Minister said the episode not only disrespected the President but also the democratic traditions of the country.
Responding to the allegations, Banerjee dismissed claims of any protocol violation. She held up an enlarged photograph from a 2024 event showing the Prime Minister seated while President Murmu was standing nearby. According to Banerjee, the image demonstrated that it was Modi who had earlier shown disrespect to the President, not her government.
Banerjee also argued that there was no breach of protocol during the President’s programme in West Bengal. She stated that the event in question was organised by private organisers and that any issues related to arrangements were not the responsibility of the state government.
The political row stems from a tribal conference in the state that President Murmu attended. Reports suggested there were changes to the venue and the absence of key state leaders, which reportedly led to dissatisfaction and criticism from the central leadership.
As the exchange of accusations intensified, the episode quickly turned into a broader political battle between the central government and the Trinamool Congress, with both sides accusing each other of undermining the dignity of the President’s office. The controversy has added fresh tension to the already strained relationship between the Centre and the West Bengal government.
Political observers say the dispute could further sharpen the rivalry between the two sides, especially as both parties compete for influence among tribal communities and voters in the state.
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