Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stepped up his attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal govt over alleged “mismanagement” of an event attended by President Droupadi Murmu, accusing TMC of insulting the head of state and warning that the party’s “arrogance of power will soon be shattered”.The MHA sought a report from Bengal govt on suspected violations of security and protocol norms during the President’s visit. In a letter to chief secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Union home secretary Govind Mohan asked the state to submit a detailed explanation by 5pm on Sunday regarding alleged breaches of the ‘Blue Book’ guidelines governing venue, security and route arrangements.The controversy has intensified political confrontation between BJP and TMC ahead of assembly elections in Bengal, with both sides accusing each other of politicising the President’s visit and the tribal community event.Addressing a gathering in Delhi’s Burari, where he inaugurated development projects worth about 33,500 crore, Modi said the developments surrounding the President’s visit had “deeply hurt” him.Insult not only to President but also to Constitution: PM ModiToday, when the country is celebrating the achievements of its mothers, sisters and daughters on International Women’s Day, yesterday (Saturday) in West Bengal the TMC govt gravely insulted the President,” Modi said.Referring to the 9th International Santhali Conclave held in Siliguri on Saturday, Modi alleged that the state govt failed to organise the event properly and that TMC boycotted the programme. “President Droupadi Murmu herself comes from the tribal community. Instead of honouring her and celebrating this important tribal event, TMC govt left the programme in a state of mismanagement,” he said.“This is not only an insult to the President, but also an insult to the Constitution, the spirit of the Constitution and the great traditions of our democracy,” Modi said.Warning TMC, the prime minister said, “The dirty politics and arrogance of power shown by TMC in insulting a tribal President will soon be shattered.”The controversy began after President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment over the arrangements during her visit to attend the conclave, stating that the venue had been changed to a location that made it difficult for members of the tribal community to attend and noting the absence of the CM or any state minister to receive her.
