Bokaro (Jharkhand), March 8 Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand assembly, Babulal Marandi, criticised the West Bengal government on Sunday over the reported snub of President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to the neighbouring state, and claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should apologise.
Marandi, a former Jharkhand Chief Minister, also alleged that the TMC government in West Bengal had violated all democratic norms.
"The way the Mamata Banerjee government treated the President is extremely unfortunate and cannot be tolerated. This is not only an insult to the highest constitutional position in the country, but also a disrespect to the Constitution and democratic norms. Banerjee should apologise to the President," Marandi told reporters here.
Addressing tribal communities in a programme near Siliguri on Saturday, Murmu said Banerjee was like her "younger sister", but wondered whether the CM was upset over her visit as neither she nor any minister was present at the event.
Highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by tribal communities, the President said she was unsure whether the Santal people and other indigenous communities in the region were benefiting from development.
Marandi alleged that the West Bengal government had changed the venue of the President's programme three times.
According to established traditions and protocols, a Chief Minister or an authorised representative, such as a minister from the respective state, is expected to receive the President upon her arrival at an event.
"Surprisingly, neither the Chief Minister nor any minister received the President, and not even the district magistrate from the local administration was present," the former Jharkhand BJP chief alleged.
Marandi alleged that Banerjee had resorted to such an "insult" to the President out of "frustration".
"Banerjee has realised that her Trinamool Congress will not form the next government in West Bengal. She is frustrated," the BJP leader added.
