West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hit back at the BJP, saying the saffron party was using President Murmu to malign the state.
Photo: IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a no holds barred attack on Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government over the alleged insult to President Droupadi Murmu after the venue of the International Santal Conference was shifted by the local administration.
President Murmu had expressed her frustration over the administration’s decision to change the venue of the event she addressed. She said that the event earlier scheduled to be held in Bidhannagar but later moved to another venue in Goshaipur near the Bagdogra Airport citing congestion has left her “sad and upset”.
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“I don’t know what went through the administration’s mind that they chose a place for the conference where the Santal people couldn’t go… I am very sad that the people here were unable to reach the conference because it was held so far away. Perhaps the administration had hoped that no one would be able to attend, and the President would simply turn around and leave,” Murmu said.
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She further added that usually the Chief Minister and other ministers should also come when a President visits any place. “But she (Mamata Banerjee) did not… I am also a daughter of Bengal… Mamata Didi is also my sister, my younger sister. I don’t know if she was angry with me, that’s why this happened…,” she added.
Murmu mauls Mamata, stops short of saying West Bengal CM tried to sabotage global Santhal conclave
Calling the incident “shameful and unprecedented”, PM Modi said everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened.
“The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people of India,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said that the TMC Government of West Bengal has “truly crossed all limits” and that the administration is responsible for this “insult” to the President.
He said that it was “unfortunate” that a subject as important as Santal culture is being treated so casually by the West Bengal Government.
PM Modi further added that the office of the President is above politics and that the sanctity of this office should always be respected. “One hopes better sense prevails among the West Bengal Government and TMC.”
‘BJP using the President to malign Bengal’: Mamata hits back
Amidst the criticism, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hit back at the BJP, accusing the saffron party of using President Murmu to malign the state.
“BJP has stooped so low that they are using President Droupadi Murmu to malign the state,” Banerjee said during an event in Kolkata.
Responding to President Murmu’s remark that the Bengal CM should have attended the event, Banerjee said that it was not possible for her during elections.
“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,” CM Banerjee added.
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