Days After Protocol Row, Rashtrapati Bhavan Turns Down TMC MPs’ Request To Meet President Murmu

Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 11:23 IST

TMC leader wrote to the President on March 9 seeking time for a delegation of around 12 to 15 members, including party MPs and state ministers.

Days after Droupadi Murmu’s visit to West Bengal triggered a controversy over alleged protocol lapses, a delegation of MPs from the All India Trinamool Congress sought an appointment with the President. According to a report by Press Trust of India, the request was declined due to a “paucity of time".

TMC MPs request for meeting with President

A source familiar with the matter said a senior TMC leader wrote to the President on March 9 seeking time for a delegation of around 12 to 15 members, including party MPs and state ministers. The delegation planned to brief the President on welfare initiatives undertaken by the West Bengal government aimed at the “inclusive development of all sections of society".

However, Rashtrapati Bhavan informed the party that the meeting could not be scheduled because of time constraints. The TMC has since written again to the President’s office seeking an appointment next week.

Controversy during Bagdogra visit

The development comes amid a political row following the President’s recent visit to Bagdogra, North Bengal where she attended an international conference of the Santal tribal community.

During the visit, Murmu expressed displeasure over the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet colleagues at Bagdogra airport to receive her. She also questioned the state government’s decision to shift the venue of the event from Bidhannagar to a location near Bagdogra airport, asking whether the administration expected fewer people to attend.

Political reactions

Following the remarks, CM Banerjee accused the President of speaking “on the advice of the BJP" and questioned her silence on alleged atrocities against tribal communities in Manipur and Chhattisgarh.

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the TMC government, accusing it of disrespecting the President. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the episode as “shameful and unprecedented" and alleged that the ruling party had crossed all limits.

The controversy has heightened political tensions in West Bengal, where the BJP has emerged as the main opposition to the Banerjee-led TMC government, which is currently serving its third consecutive term in power.

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