Mamata Banerjee Rebuts President Murmu’s Remarks on Darjeeling Event, Denies Protocol Lapse

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday responded sharply to remarks made by President Droupadi Murmu regarding the arrangements during the President’s recent visit to the state, asserting that there was no protocol violation and that the event in question had been organised by a private body.

Earlier in the day, President Murmu had reportedly expressed concern over the handling of a tribal-focused programme during her visit to Darjeeling district. The President noted that the venue had allegedly been shifted from Bidhannagar to Goshaipur in Siliguri, and also questioned why neither the Chief Minister nor any member of her Cabinet was present at the event, where she was the chief guest.

Responding to the remarks, Banerjee said that neither she nor her ministers were scheduled to attend the programme according to the official lineup approved by the President’s Secretariat. She further clarified that the event had been organised by the International Santal Council, a private organisation, and that the approved schedule did not mention Bidhannagar as the initial venue.

According to the Chief Minister, the Siliguri district administration had earlier raised concerns with the President’s Secretariat about inadequate preparations at the venue. Documents shared by Banerjee, along with photographs allegedly taken two days before the visit, showed what she described as a barren field lacking the infrastructure required for a large public gathering.

“The International Santal Council invited the Hon’ble President to the 9th International Adivasi Santal Conference in Siliguri. After the Advanced Security Liaison process, the district administration informed the President’s Secretariat in writing that the organisers appeared inadequately prepared. This concern was also conveyed telephonically,” Banerjee said in a post on social media.

She added that the President’s advance team visited the site on March 5 and was briefed about the lack of arrangements, but the programme proceeded as scheduled.

Banerjee also pointed out that the President was formally received and seen off by the Siliguri Mayor, the Darjeeling District Magistrate and the Siliguri Police Commissioner, strictly in accordance with the lineup approved by the President’s Secretariat.

“The Chief Minister of West Bengal was not part of the lineup or the dais plan. No protocol lapse occurred on the part of the district administration,” she said.

The Chief Minister further criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of politicising the issue and misusing the office of the President for partisan purposes. “It is most unfortunate that the highest constitutional office in the country is being dragged into political controversy,” Banerjee said.

Earlier, addressing a gathering in Kolkata, Banerjee had accused the President of acting on the advice of the BJP after the controversy escalated following remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeting the state’s All India Trinamool Congress government.

While reiterating her respect for the President, Banerjee alleged that political motives were influencing the criticism directed at the state government.

“I have great regard for the Hon’ble President, but it appears she is being guided by BJP policies and instructions,” Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister also referred to the timing of the President’s visit, suggesting that repeated visits during the election season created political complications.

“If the President visits once a year, we are always happy to welcome her. But if visits happen repeatedly during election time, it becomes difficult to attend every event,” she said, adding that the state government cannot be expected to follow every programme on the President’s itinerary.

The exchange has further intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with both sides trading accusations over protocol, governance and political conduct.