'Nari Shakti will not forgive’: PM Modi slams TMC, accuses Mamata govt of ‘insulting’ President Murmu
Referring to President Murmu, he said the remarks amounted to an affront to the dignity of the nation’s highest constitutional office.
In an attack on the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, speaking at Women's Day event, criticised it for “insulting” President Droupadi Murmu.
This comes after President Droupadi Murmu expressed displeasure over the arrangements during her visit to the state on Saturday, calling it “shameful and unprecedented”. She also underlined the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who later said the President's remarks were unbecoming and political in nature “at the BJP's behest”.
PM Modi, referring to Murmu, said her insult was an affront to the dignity of the nation’s highest constitutional office. “The country and Nari Shakti (women) will not forgive this insult inflicted on President Droupadi Murmu,” the Prime Minister said.
A change in the venue of 9th International Santhali Conclave in West Bengal, and the absence of CM Banerjee and other ministers at the event attended by President Murmu, turned into a war of words on Saturday with not just the President herself, but PM Modi and several central ministers and BJP leaders also making allegations against the TMC.
Also read| President Murmu flags venue shift at Santhal Conference, says Bengal CM didn’t attend
{{/usCountry}}Also read| President Murmu flags venue shift at Santhal Conference, says Bengal CM didn’t attend
{{/usCountry}}Mamata Banerjee, however, hit back at the criticism, linking it to the Modi-led BJP's aggressive campaign ahead of state elections due in barely two months.
Turn of events
{{/usCountry}}Mamata Banerjee, however, hit back at the criticism, linking it to the Modi-led BJP's aggressive campaign ahead of state elections due in barely two months.
Turn of events
{{/usCountry}}On Saturday, President Murmu attended the tribal community conclave that was initially supposed to take place in Bidhannagar but later moved to a smaller venue in Goshaipur near the Bagdogra Airport citing congestion, officials told HT on condition of anonymity.
{{/usCountry}}On Saturday, President Murmu attended the tribal community conclave that was initially supposed to take place in Bidhannagar but later moved to a smaller venue in Goshaipur near the Bagdogra Airport citing congestion, officials told HT on condition of anonymity.
{{/usCountry}}This change did not sit well with the President, who said she was “very sad that the people here were unable to reach the conference because it was held so far away".
{{/usCountry}}This change did not sit well with the President, who said she was “very sad that the people here were unable to reach the conference because it was held so far away".
{{/usCountry}}“Perhaps the administration had hoped that no one would be able to attend, and the President would simply turn around and leave,” Murmu, who belongs to the Santhal community, said while addressing a gathering at Phansidewa near Siliguri.
She proceeded to call Mamata Banerjee her “younger sister” and wondered if the latter was “upset” with her.
“Generally, it is seen that when the President comes, the chief minister and other ministers remain present. But the chief minister madam didn’t come. Even I am the daughter of Bengal. I am not allowed to visit Bengal. Mamata didi is like my younger sister. Maybe she is miffed with me and that’s why the program was held so far. But never mind,” President Murmu said.
Mamata Banerjee hits back
CM Mamata Banerjee accused the President of playing politics “at the BJP's behest”.
"The BJP has stooped so low that they are using President Droupadi Murmu to malign the state," Banerjee said in Kolkata, reported news agency PTI.
Reacting to Murmu asking why Banerjee did not come to join her at the event, Banerjee said that it was not always possible for her, particularly ahead of the state assembly polls slated for later this year. She also shared documents on Facebook showing that the plan was based on security and logistical reasons, duly conveyed to the President's office.
