Mamata Hits Back at Modi Over Murmu Row

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism over alleged protocol lapses during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the state, and accused him of disrespecting the President in the past.

Responding to Modi’s remarks, Banerjee referred to an event held two years ago where President Murmu presented the Bharat Ratna to BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani.

Displaying a photograph of the occasion at a protest venue in Kolkata, she alleged that the Prime Minister remained seated while the President was standing during the ceremony.

“This is for you, PM Modi. Do you respect President Murmu as a woman and a tribal leader? Why are you then sitting while the President is standing? This image is proof of who pays respect and who doesn’t,” Banerjee said.

She also alleged that the Prime Minister criticises West Bengal before elections for political reasons.

Banerjee was responding to Modi’s comments on Saturday in which he criticised the West Bengal government over alleged protocol violations during the President’s visit.

Calling the incident “shameful and unprecedented”, Modi said the alleged lapses had caused concern among people across the country.

Responding to the criticism, Banerjee said the event attended by the President was organised by a private organisation and not by the state government. She said the organisers were responsible for the arrangements and the turnout at the programme.

The Chief Minister added that as she was attending a dharna, Siliguri mayor Goutam Deb represented the state government during the President’s visit.

“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. The TMC Government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President,” he said.

Modi also said the office of the President must remain above politics and its dignity should always be respected.