Inclusive growth key to Viksit Bharat, says President Droupadi Murmu
The development of the nation is possible only through the progress of every section of society, President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday while addressing a gathering in Rourkela.
A political row erupted after President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment with the arrangements during her visit to West Bengal. Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed concern about the reported protocol lapses, absence of state representatives, and the overall handling of the event.
#WATCH | Darjeeling, West Bengal | President Droupadi Murmu says, “Today was the International Santal Conference. When I came here after attending it, I realised it would have been better if it had been held here, because the area is so vast… I don’t know what went through the… pic.twitter.com/zMYyvDo0Y2
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— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2026
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Union Minister Annapurna Devi sharply criticised the state government, saying the incident was unfortunate and reflected poorly on the administration. “The President is the constitutional head of the country. When she visited West Bengal, the absence of any minister or the Chief Minister reflects poor thinking and mentality. Such actions are certainly shameful for the country,” she said, targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
#WATCH | Delhi: On President Droupadi Murmu’s conference in West Bengal, Union Minister Annapurna Devi says, “No amount of condemnation will be enough for yesterday’s unfortunate incident. The President is the constitutional head, and when she visited West Bengal, the absence of… pic.twitter.com/sdsj0VA1z8
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2026
However, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose defended the state government and released correspondence between the West Bengal administration and the President’s office. She claimed the state government had warned the President’s Secretariat that the private organisers of the North Bengal event might not be able to make arrangements befitting the Head of State.
Releasing the correspondence between the Bengal government and @rashtrapatibhvn on the President’s event in North Bengal. The Bengal government had warned the President’s office that the particular private organisers of the event would not be able to make arrangements befitting… pic.twitter.com/yILwoLHIeb
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) March 7, 2026
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the alleged lapses, stating that the incident had deeply saddened people in Odisha and members of the tribal community across the country.
Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also expressed concern, saying that when the President visits a state, it is a “minimum requirement” that representatives of the state government welcome her. She added that constitutional offices such as the President and Governor should remain above politics and be treated with appropriate dignity.
Also, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati urged political parties to respect constitutional institutions and not politicise the office of the President. In a post on social media, she said it was essential to uphold the dignity of the post, especially as the current President is both a woman and from a tribal community.
‘Proof the state government collapsed into petty vendetta politics’: Jethmalani
Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Jethmalani strongly criticised the West Bengal government, calling the incident “beyond shameful” and accusing the administration of failing to uphold constitutional decorum during the President’s visit.
The controversy has intensified the political debate over protocol and respect for constitutional offices, with opposition leaders demanding accountability while the state government maintains that it had flagged concerns about the event’s arrangements in advance.
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