07 March,2026 09:33 PM IST | Siliguri | mid-day online correspondent
Droupadi Murmu addresses an event in West Bengal on Saturday. Pic/PTI
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday expressed dissatisfaction over the low turnout at a tribal community event held near Bagdogra airport, questioning the decision to shift the venue from Bidhannagar, and also noted the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee and her ministers during her visit, news agency PTI reported.
"Generally, when the President is coming, the CM should be welcoming, and other ministers should be present. But she did not come. The governor has changed and could not come. But because the date was fixed, I have come. But it's okay. I would like to thank you for coming here," she told the gathering.
"Had the programme been held there (at Bidhannagar), it would have been better. There is ample space there, and many people could have attended. But I do not know why the state administration did not permit the meeting there. Today's programme is being held at such a place that it is difficult for people to come. Perhaps the state government does not want the welfare of tribals, and that is why they were prevented from coming here," President Murmu said.
"Mamata Banerjee is like my younger sister. I am also a daughter of Bengal. But I do not know why I was not allowed to come here. I do not know whether she is upset, and that is why the venue was shifted. Anyway, that does not matter. All of you stay well," the President said.
Highlighting broader challenges in organising such events, she further stated, "When I was coming here to this international conference, I realised that someone was not willing for this event to take place. It seems that some do not want the Santals to progress, to learn and to unite to be strong."
President Murmu was invited to the annual programme, originally scheduled at Bidhannagar in Siliguri.
However, citing security and other logistical reasons, authorities shifted the venue to Goshaipur near Bagdogra airport, officials said.
When the President arrived at the venue on Saturday afternoon, only a handful of people were present.
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was the only state government representative present at the airport to receive her.
According to protocol, the chief minister or a minister of the state government is usually present to receive the President.
In Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee continued her sit-in for the second day in a row against the alleged arbitrary deletion of names from the electoral rolls in West Bengal.
Following the comments, the BJP criticised the West Bengal government, alleging that the arrangements reflected disrespect towards both the President and the tribal community she was addressing. Party leaders accused the state administration of neglecting the importance of the visit and demanded an explanation from the government.
In response, leaders of the TMC rejected the allegations and accused the opposition of trying to politicise the issue. The party maintained that the arrangements were made according to administrative considerations and security requirements. Some TMC leaders also argued that attempts were being made to turn a logistical matter into a political controversy.
PM Narendra Modi tweets, "This is shameful and unprecedented. Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in⦠https://t.co/o4RnIHJeuf pic.twitter.com/qUnluizTcW
- ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2026
The dispute quickly escalated into a broader political confrontation between the ruling party in the state and the opposition at the national level. The incident has also drawn attention because of the ongoing political rivalry between the BJP and TMC in West Bengal.
As political reactions continue, the controversy highlights how even ceremonial or administrative issues during high-level visits can quickly become part of the larger political narrative in a highly competitive political environment.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
