A fresh political confrontation has erupted between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the recent visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the state. The disagreement intensified after Banerjee highlighted an old photograph showing the Prime Minister seated while the President stood nearby.

During a public rally, Banerjee criticised the Prime Minister’s claims of respecting the office of the President. Referring to the image, she questioned the optics of the moment, saying the visual suggested a lack of respect despite repeated public statements about honouring the country’s highest constitutional office.

The image in question dates back to March 31, 2024, when President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi met veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani to present him with the prestigious Bharat Ratna. At Banerjee’s rally, leaders from the All India Trinamool Congress displayed the photograph while she addressed the crowd.

Banerjee argued that the picture itself showed who genuinely respected the President’s position. She also accused the Prime Minister of frequently targeting Bengal politically ahead of elections and making allegations against the state government.

Dispute Over President’s Visit

The controversy began after President Murmu attended the ninth International Santal Conference in Darjeeling. While addressing the gathering, the President remarked that it was unusual that the state’s Chief Minister or ministers were not present to welcome her upon arrival.

Murmu also said she considers Banerjee like a younger sister and expressed uncertainty about whether the Chief Minister was upset with her. She additionally raised concerns about the venue change for the programme, suggesting the new location made it difficult for many attendees to participate.

Prime Minister’s Strong Reaction

Prime Minister Modi described the situation as deeply troubling. In a message on social media, he said the President’s remarks had caused disappointment among people who value democratic principles and tribal empowerment.

He accused the Trinamool Congress government of disrespecting both the President and the spirit of the Constitution. Speaking later at a public event, Modi also linked the issue to the observance of International Women's Day, saying it was unfortunate that such an incident occurred while the country was celebrating women’s achievements.

Mamata Banerjee’s Defence

Responding to the criticism, Banerjee rejected claims of any breach of official protocol. She stated that the conference had been organised by a private body, the International Santal Council, which had invited the President directly.

According to Banerjee, the state administration had already informed the President’s office that the organisers were not fully prepared to host such a high-level event. Despite these concerns, the programme went ahead as planned.

She further explained that the list of officials designated to receive the President had been prepared by the President’s Secretariat, and her name was not included in that protocol lineup. Banerjee insisted the district administration followed the instructions provided and denied any wrongdoing.

At the same time, she accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of politicising the issue and using the office of the President for partisan purposes.

BJP Counters With Protocol Explanation

The BJP dismissed the Trinamool’s claims regarding the photograph, stating that the seating arrangement during the Bharat Ratna presentation followed official protocol. According to the party, individuals present during the ceremony are expected to remain seated while the award is formally conferred.

The BJP’s West Bengal unit accused the Trinamool Congress of spreading misinformation and turning a ceremonial moment into a political controversy.

Centre Seeks Report

The dispute has also drawn attention from the central government. Govind Mohan, the Union Home Secretary, has asked West Bengal’s Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty to submit a detailed report regarding the arrangements during the President’s visit.

According to officials, the report will address several concerns, including the absence of senior state officials at the airport, complaints about facilities prepared for the President, the condition of the route used during her visit, and whether administrative action has been taken against local officers responsible for the arrangements.

The episode has further intensified the ongoing political rivalry between the state government and the Centre, adding a fresh dimension to the tensions between the two sides.