Bhopal, March 7 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday condemned the West Bengal government for not following protocol regarding the welcoming of President Droupadi Murmu and demanded an apology from Mamata Banerjee.
On Saturday, Banerjee accused Murmu of speaking "at the behest of the BJP" after the President, during a visit to north Bengal to attend the 9th International Santal Conference, questioned the pace of development among tribal communities there. The President had also expressed surprise at the lack of any representative from the West Bengal government at the event.
Yadav stated that a controversial situation arose during President Murmu's visit to West Bengal when the Mamata Banerjee government failed to follow protocol.
When President Murmu arrived in Bidhannagar near Siliguri to address a gathering of tribal people, neither the Chief Minister nor any minister was present to welcome her, he said.
"The behaviour of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during President Murmu's visit to Bengal is completely unacceptable. The position of the President, who holds the highest office in democracy, is above politics for all of us. During the President's state visit, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should have given the utmost respect to the President," Yadav said.
Describing the situation as an example of a "despicable mentality," Yadav said that creating any situation that disrespects the position of the President of India is unbecoming of any state's Chief Minister.
"I strongly condemn this. It is unfortunate that the President's visit is being dragged into local and party politics, which is an example of a despicable mentality. I hope Mamata Banerjee will take this matter seriously and apologize immediately. The situation that has arisen is extremely shameful for the West Bengal government," he added.
