‘BJP Misusing Country’s Highest Chair’: Mamata Banerjee Attacks Centre Over President Row

Last Updated:March 08, 2026, 10:58 IST

President Murmu had questioned why Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not receive her and also pointed to the change of venue and the low turnout at the programme.

A political confrontation between the West Bengal government and the Centre has intensified ahead of the state assembly elections after Droupadi Murmu raised concerns over arrangements during her visit to Siliguri.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre and the Bharatiya Janata Party of disrespecting and misusing the country’s highest office for political purposes.

The President had questioned why the Chief Minister did not receive her and also pointed to the change of venue and the low turnout at the programme.

What Mamata said?

In a social media post, CM Banerjee said the district administration had already flagged concerns over the arrangements at the venue chosen for the event.

The programme was organised by the International Santal Council, a private organisation, for the 9th International Adivasi Santal Conference in Siliguri.

Banerjee said that after an Advanced Security Liaison, the district administration informed the President’s Secretariat in writing that the organiser appeared inadequately prepared. The concern was also conveyed over the phone.

She added that the President’s Secretariat advance team visited on March 5, 2026 and was informed about the lack of arrangements, but the programme continued as scheduled.

‘No protocol lapse,’ says chief minister

Mamata Banerjee said the President was received and seen off by the Mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the District Magistrate of Darjeeling and the Siliguri Police Commissioner in accordance with the approved lineup shared by the President’s Secretariat.

She said the Chief Minister of West Bengal was not part of the lineup or the dais plan and insisted that there was no protocol lapse by the district administration.

“BJP is disrespecting and misusing the highest chair in the country for its own party agenda. Most unfortunate," she said.

President questions chief minister’s absence

Earlier, President Murmu said that normally the Chief Minister and other ministers should be present to welcome the President during a visit.

“Generally, when the President is coming, the CM should be welcoming, and other ministers should be present. But she did not come. The governor has changed and could not come. But because the date was fixed, I have come," she said.

The President also questioned the choice of venue, saying it was located in a place that was difficult for people to reach. She also wondered whether the state government had prevented tribal communities from attending the programme.

Murmu added that Mamata Banerjee was like her younger sister and said she herself was also a daughter of Bengal.

Prime Minister calls incident ‘shameful’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the developments as “shameful and unprecedented".

In a post on X, he said people who believe in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities were deeply disheartened.

He said the All India Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal had crossed all limits and that its administration was responsible for the insult to the President. Modi also said the office of the President is above politics and its sanctity must always be respected.

Political exchange escalates

The exchange comes as assembly elections in West Bengal are expected in the coming months, with the Trinamool Congress and the BJP stepping up political attacks.

Responding to the Prime Minister, Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee wrote on X, “PEOPLE of WEST BENGAL VS BJP + ECI + ED + IT + CBI + NIA + CAPF + Governor + 20 Union Ministers + 10 CMs + Prime Minister + Respected Rashtrapati Ji + Godi Media. When the entire establishment lines up against Bengal, Bengal stands stronger. Bring it on."

News politics ‘BJP Misusing Country’s Highest Chair’: Mamata Banerjee Attacks Centre Over President Row

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