For a second time in a row, President Droupadi Murmu has declined a request by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) seeking an appointment to “apprise her about the West Bengal government’s welfare initiatives”, party sources said.
While the party’s earlier request was declined on March 11 citing paucity of time, its second request and follow-ups were turned down on March 22 for the same reason.
The developments came in the backdrop of the row during the President’s visit to West Bengal early this month, where she had expressed displeasure over how the state administration handled a tribal conclave and protocol issues.
Sources in the TMC said a senior party leader wrote to the President on March 11 seeking an appointment between 16th to 20th March after her officer denied their initial request, citing “paucity of time”. While the party followed up with a request on March 16, it received the denial of request on 22 March. Sources said that they again wrote to the President on March 23 for an appointment between 24 March and 2 April.
According to a source familiar with the developments, a senior TMC leader had written to President Murmu on March 9, seeking an appointment for a 12-to-15-member party delegation comprising MPs and state ministers.
The letter said the delegation wanted to share with Murmu the welfare initiatives taken by the West Bengal government for “inclusive development of all sections of society”.
The request was, however, turned down.
Rashtrapati Bhavan sent a communication informing the TMC that its request was considered but could not be acceded due to “paucity of time”, the source claimed.
A major political controversy erupted after the President, on March 7, questioned the West Bengal government’s decision to shift the venue of a conclave of the Santal tribal community she attended, wondering if the administration had hoped that no one would be able to attend the event.
She also expressed displeasure that neither Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nor any state minister was present during her visit.
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.