'Arrogance of power will soon be shattered': PM Modi sharpens attack on Mamata over President Murmu's Santhal event row

NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday once again trained his guns on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over President Droupadi Murmu’s recent displeasure regarding alleged “mismanagement” at a Santhal community event. He also alleged that Mamata Banerjee and her party, the Trinamool Congress, boycotted the “sacred event” and called lapses at programme an “insult to the President and the tradition of democracy.”Prime Minister also warned that the TMC’s “arrogance of power will soon be shattered.” Addressing a gathering, Modi alleged that the West Bengal government failed to properly organise the event and that the TMC stayed away from what he called a “sacred” occasion. “Droupadi Murmu had gone to Bengal to attend a major celebration of the Santhal. But instead of honouring the President, the TMC boycotted this sacred and important event. She herself comes from the tribal community and has been concerned about the development of the tribal community. The TMC government left that event to mismanagement,” Modi said.“This is not only an insult to the President but also an insult to the Constitution of India. It is an insult to the spirit of the Constitution. It is also an insult to the great tradition of democracy,” he added.The Prime Minister also accused the ruling party in West Bengal of engaging in “dirty politics” and warned that the people of the state would respond to the alleged insult.“It is said in our country that no matter how powerful a person is, he is ultimately destroyed by ego. Today, from the nation's capital, I am appealing to all of you that the dirty politics and arrogance of power of the TMC, which insulted the dignity of a tribal President, will soon be shattered,” Modi said.“The enlightened people of West Bengal will never forgive the TMC for insulting a woman, a tribal, the President of the country. The country will never forgive them either. The tribal community of the country will never forgive them. The women of the country will never forgive them,” he added.Meanwhile, as the political storm intensified, the Centre asked the West Bengal government to submit a response by 5 pm on Sunday over suspected violations of protocol related to venue and route arrangements, sources told news agency PTI.In a letter to the West Bengal chief secretary, Union home secretary Govind Mohan sought a detailed explanation regarding alleged breaches of the ‘Blue Book’ guidelines that govern protocol, venue and route arrangements.The ‘Blue Book’ is a confidential document that lays down security and protocol procedures for the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and their families.Highly placed sources said the communication also sought clarification on why the chief minister, the chief secretary and the director general of police were not present at the airport to receive the President, a requirement under the Blue Book protocol.PTI sources further said the Centre has also taken note that the washroom arranged for the President reportedly had no water, for which an explanation has been sought from the state government.The West Bengal administration has also been asked to clarify why the route chosen for the President’s convoy was allegedly littered with garbage.In addition, the letter seeks details of the action taken against the Darjeeling district magistrate, the Siliguri police commissioner and the additional district magistrate, who are believed to be directly responsible for the alleged lapses.