New Delhi, March 12 Members of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress had sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu to inform her about the welfare initiatives of the West Bengal government, but the President's office turned down their request, citing "lack of time", a source said on Thursday.
This followed the President's statement on Saturday expressing her dismay at finding neither West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nor any of her cabinet ministers present at the Bagdogra airport to receive her as she arrived to attend an international tribal conference, sparking a political controversy.
According to a source familiar with the developments, a senior TMC leader had written to President Murmu on March 9, seeking an appointment on behalf of a 12-to-15-member party delegation comprising MPs and state ministers.
The letter stated that the delegation wanted to share with Murmu the welfare initiatives taken by the West Bengal government for "inclusive development of all sections of society".
However, the request was turned down.
The President's office sent a communication informing the TMC that their request had been considered but could not be acceded to due to "lack of time", the source claimed.
The TMC has written to the President's office again, requesting time next week, the source said.
A major political controversy was ignited after the President, on Saturday, expressed dissatisfaction over the low turnout at a conclave of the Santal tribal community she attended.
She questioned the state government's decision to shift the venue from Bidhannagar to near Bagdogra airport, wondering if the administration had hoped that no one would be able to attend the event, and also noted the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or her ministers as she arrived in the state.
Soon after, Banerjee accused the President of speaking "on the advice of the BJP" and also questioned her silence on alleged atrocities against tribals in states like Manipur and Chhattisgarh.
The BJP lashed out at the TMC government for "insulting" the President, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it "shameful and unprecedented" and accused the ruling party of crossing all limits.
The controversy has further raised the political temperature of the poll-bound state, where the BJP has emerged as the main opposition party challenging the Banerjee-led TMC, which has been in power for three consecutive terms.
