'BJP misusing highest chair in country': President Droupadi Murmu flags ‘protocol breach’, CM Mamata Banerjee denies

KOLKATA: President Droupadi Murmu, in north Bengal to attend the International Santal Conference on Saturday, drew attention to the absence of CM Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet ministers to receive her in Siliguri and the manner in which the venue was shifted to a remote location, prompting the CM to accuse BJP of “misusing the highest chair in the country” and dragging the President into politics.

“It’s unfortunate that politics is being played by using the President on the advice of BJP and by alleging that no work has been done for tribals. I feel ashamed to even say this. We respect the Hon’ble President. But, she too, has been sent to sell politics. I am sorry, madam. I have great regard for you, but you are being guided by BJP’s policies and BJP’s instructions,” she said.
PM Narendra Modi waded into the controversy and accused the Mamata administration of “truly crossing all limits” and “insulting” the President.


At the event, Murmu said: “Generally, when the President is coming, the CM should be welcoming, and other ministers should be present. But she did not come. The governor has changed and could not come. But because the date was fixed, I have come.”

Mamata denies protocol breach

As per the original programme, C V Ananda Bose, who resigned as Bengal governor on Thursday, was to receive the President. In a post on X, Banerjee denied any protocol breach and said the President was received and seen off by the mayor and police commissioner of Siliguri and DM of Darjeeling “as per the approved line-up shared by the President’s secretariat”. She said the Bengal CM “was not part of the line-up or dais plan” of the private event.

At the event, the President also expressed her displeasure at the shifting of the venue from Phansidewa to a remote location. “When I was coming here to this international conference, I realised that someone was not willing for this meeting to take place. It seems some do not want the Santhals to progress, to learn, and to unite. I do not think that Santhals and other adivasis in this area are fully progressing. The benefits of development have not reached you as they should. Sitting here, I saw some Santhals roaming outside, as if they were not being allowed to come in. I am also a daughter of Bengal, but they do not allow me to come. Mamata Banerjee is like my younger sister. I do not know why she is upset.”

In response, CM Banerjee questioned the President’s silence on atrocities against tribals in Manipur and Chhattisgarh and listed the welfare measures undertaken by her govt for tribal communities, particularly in the Jangalmahal region. She reminded the President that her govt has given official recognition to the ‘Ol Chiki’ script used for the Santhali language and introduced it in education and competitive examinations.

Later, PM Modi took to X to slam the Bengal govt. “This is shameful and unprecedented. 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.... TMC govt has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President... The office of the President is above politics and the sanctity of this office should always be respected.”Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !