Centre Seeks Answers from Bengal on President Murmu Visit Lapses

• Centre seeks report from West Bengal on alleged lapses during President Murmu’s visit
• Questions raised over absence of CM, Chief Secretary and DGP at reception
• President had earlier expressed displeasure over arrangements and venue change
• Row escalates as BJP and TMC trade accusations ahead of Assembly polls

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th March: The Centre has sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government over alleged lapses during President Droupadi Murmu’s recent visit to the state, escalating the political row between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has written to West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty seeking clarification on several issues related to the arrangements made during the President’s programme in the state.

According to sources, the Union Home Ministry has flagged four key concerns. These include the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police at the time of receiving and seeing off the President.

The Centre has also questioned reports that the washroom arranged for the President reportedly had no water, and that the route chosen by the administration for the President’s convoy was littered with garbage.

In addition, the Home Secretary has sought details on whether action has been taken against officials including the District Magistrate of Darjeeling, the Commissioner of Police of Siliguri and the Additional District Magistrate.

The state government has been asked to submit its response by 5 pm.

The controversy erupted after President Murmu expressed displeasure over the arrangements at an event she attended in north Bengal and questioned the absence of the Chief Minister.

“Generally, when the President is coming, the CM should be welcoming, and other ministers should be present. But she did not come,” Murmu said during the programme.

The President also raised concerns about the change of venue and the low turnout at the event, suggesting that the location made it difficult for people to attend.

Reacting to the criticism, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the district administration had earlier informed the President’s Secretariat that the organisers appeared inadequately prepared for the event.

In a statement on social media, Banerjee said the programme was organised by the International Santal Council and that the state administration had flagged concerns regarding arrangements in advance.

She added that the President was received and seen off by the Mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the Darjeeling District Magistrate and the Siliguri Police Commissioner, as per the protocol lineup shared by the President’s Secretariat.

“CM, West Bengal was not part of the lineup or the dais plan. No protocol lapse happened on the part of the district administration,” Banerjee said.

The political confrontation intensified after Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the West Bengal government, calling the developments “shameful and unprecedented”.

“The TMC Government of West Bengal has crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President,” Modi said in a post on social media.

Trinamool Congress leaders hit back, accusing the BJP of politicising the issue ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said attempts were being made to target West Bengal using multiple institutions and political pressure.

The row comes as West Bengal prepares for Assembly elections due in the coming months, with both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress intensifying their political attacks against each other.