A political spat in West Bengal has escalated over President Droupadi Murmu’s recent visit to the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee trading sharp remarks.
The controversy began after an event, initially planned in Bidhannagar, was shifted to Koshaypur in Darjeeling district citing security reasons. Reports said the President expressed displeasure over the change, triggering criticism from the Prime Minister and Union ministers, who alleged the Trinamool Congress government had shown disrespect.
Responding, Banerjee claimed that during the Assembly election period, the BJP was “provoking” the President into doing politics. While staging a protest in Kolkata against the Election Commission, she displayed a photograph showing PM Modi and senior BJP leader L.K. Advani seated while President Murmu stood, calling it an example of the BJP’s “culture” of disrespect.
The BJP’s fact-checking team countered on social media that the photo was taken on March 31, 2024, when President Murmu presented the Bharat Ratna to Advani at his residence. It said protocol requires the President to stand while conferring the award and others to remain seated, adding that using a “memorable event” for “petty politics” was shameful and urging respect for the dignity of the constitutional office.
