Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 12: A delegation of MPs from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) sought an appointment with Droupadi Murmu to brief her on welfare initiatives undertaken by the Government of West Bengal, but the request was declined due to “paucity of time”, according to a report by PTI.

Sources said a senior TMC leader wrote to the President on March 9 requesting time for a delegation of around 12 to 15 members, including party MPs and state ministers. The delegation intended to discuss welfare programmes implemented by the West Bengal government aimed at the “inclusive development of all sections of society”.

However, Rashtrapati Bhavan informed the party that the meeting could not be scheduled due to time constraints.

The party has reportedly written again to the President’s office seeking an appointment next week.

The development comes amid a political controversy that arose during Murmu’s recent visit to Bagdogra, where she attended an international conference of the Santal tribal community.

During the visit, the President expressed displeasure over the absence of Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet colleagues at Bagdogra airport to receive her.

Murmu also questioned the state government’s decision to shift the venue of the event from Bidhannagar to a location near Bagdogra airport, wondering whether the administration expected fewer people to attend.

Following the remarks, Banerjee accused the President of speaking “on the advice of the Bharatiya Janata Party” and questioned her silence on alleged atrocities against tribal communities in states such as Manipur and Chhattisgarh.

The BJP strongly criticised the TMC government over the incident, accusing it of disrespecting the President. Narendra Modi described the episode as “shameful and unprecedented” and alleged that the ruling party had crossed all limits.

The controversy has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, where the BJP has emerged as the principal opposition to the Banerjee-led TMC government, currently in its third consecutive term.