The ongoing dispute between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified following the President’s recent visit to the state. Banerjee took a sharp swipe at the Prime Minister by sharing a two-year-old photograph that appears to show him sitting while President Droupadi Murmu stands, during a 2024 event in New Delhi.
Addressing a rally, Banerjee questioned Modi’s claims of respecting the President’s office, saying, “Let us look at this photo. The country’s first tribal woman President stands while the Prime Minister sits comfortably. This visual evidence reveals the true attitude towards her office.” She further added, “If you respect the President, why is she standing and you are sitting?”
The photograph, shared by Banerjee’s team, was clicked on March 31, 2024, during a meeting where President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi met with BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani, who was honored with the Bharat Ratna. Banerjee challenged Modi’s respect towards the President, especially given her tribal background, saying, “This photograph proves who respects the President and who does not.”
The row escalated after President Murmu visited Bengal for the ninth International Santal Conference in Darjeeling. She expressed disappointment that Mamata Banerjee and other Bengal ministers did not meet her during the visit, which she described as unusual. The President also criticized the change of venue for the event, suggesting it was a move to hinder tribal welfare, and questioned the local administration’s handling of her visit.
Prime Minister Modi responded sharply, calling the developments “shameful and unprecedented.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he condemned the West Bengal government, accusing it of disrespecting the President and the office of the presidency. “This insult to the President and the Constitution is deeply troubling,” Modi stated, adding that the TMC government had crossed all limits.
He further criticized the Bengal government for allegedly boycotting the President’s visit and the tribal conference, calling it an insult to the office of the President and the Constitution’s spirit. “The office of the President is above politics and must always be respected,” he emphasized.
Mamata Banerjee dismissed the controversy as a political ploy by the BJP, asserting that there was no protocol breach during the President’s visit. She claimed the state government had informed the President’s office about inadequate arrangements, which were later acknowledged by the President’s security team. Banerjee also asserted that no protocol lapses occurred and accused the BJP of misusing the President’s visit for political gains.
Adding to the controversy, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has sought a report from the West Bengal Chief Secretary regarding alleged lapses during the President’s visit. The points of concern include the absence of key officials to receive the President, poor arrangements such as lack of water and garbage-laden routes, and responsibility of district officials for the mismanagement.
