New Delhi, March 7 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the TMC government in West Bengal had reached a new low in its "anarchic behaviour" by "humiliating" President Droupadi Murmu with its blatant disregard for protocol.
This exposes "the rot within the TMC government," Shah said in a post on X, hours after Murmu expressed dismay over a low turnout at a tribal community event held in West Bengal's Bagdogra, questioning the decision to shift the venue from Bidhannagar.
She also noted the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers during her visit.
"The TMC Government in West Bengal today reached a new low in its anarchic behaviour by humiliating the President of India with its blatant disregard for protocol. This exposes the rot within the TMC Government, which not only violates the constitutional rights of citizens at will but also spares no one, even the President of India, from its tyranny," Shah said.
He said the disrespect shown to the highest constitutional post in India, and that too at a programme organized by tribal sisters and brothers, is an insult to the nation and the very values that define constitutional democracy.
"Today, every citizen who believes in democracy is deeply hurt and anguished," he said.
During a visit to North Bengal on Saturday, Murmu questioned the pace of development among tribals in parts of the state, and wondered whether the CM was upset because neither she nor any state minister was present to receive her.
She expressed dissatisfaction over the conclave of the Santal tribal community being held near Bagdogra airport instead of Bidhannagar, and wondered if the state administration had hoped that no one would be able to attend.
Banerjee later accused Murmu of speaking at the behest of the BJP and questioned her silence on atrocities against tribals in states such as Manipur and Chhattisgarh.
The CM also rejected the allegation that the state government had not sent representatives to Murmu's programme, claiming the information conveyed to the President was incorrect.