'It was a private event, State Govt had no role’: CM Mamata on President Murmu visit row, says 'BJP is using you'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday responded sharply to President Droupadi Murmu’s remarks made earlier in Siliguri, saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was “using” the President for political purposes. Speaking from the protest stage at Dharmatala, Banerjee addressed the controversy that erupted after Murmu expressed dissatisfaction with the state administration during a programme for the Adivasi community.

During her address, Banerjee said she was compelled to speak on the issue and told the President, “I am sorry, but I am compelled to say this—Madam, the BJP is using you.” She added that she was not aware of the event scheduled in Siliguri and emphasised that her priority at the moment was to continue the protest over voting rights.

Banerjee also referred to incidents of alleged atrocities against tribal communities in states such as Manipur, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. She questioned why the President had remained silent during those incidents and why no condolences had been expressed at the time.

Earlier in the day, President Murmu had attended an event for the Adivasi community in Siliguri, where she expressed dissatisfaction over the arrangements and alleged that tribal communities in West Bengal had not seen sufficient development. She also noted that neither the chief minister nor any state minister had come to receive her during the visit, describing it as a break in protocol.

Responding to those remarks, Banerjee said the event was not a government programme and therefore the state administration had no role in it. She also highlighted several initiatives taken by her government for tribal welfare, including recognition of the Ol Chiki language and the option to write the WBCS examination in Ol Chiki, arguing that the state had consistently worked for the development of tribal communities.