"Only I will speak", says CM Mamata over President row, ask TMC leaders not to make any comments

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked leaders and workers of the Trinamool Congress not to make any statements attacking President Droupadi Murmu amid the ongoing political controversy over protocol during the President’s recent visit to the state. Addressing the issue, Banerjee said that only she would respond to the matter and directed party colleagues to refrain from making comments about the President. “No one will say anything attacking the President. I will say whatever needs to be said,” she reportedly told party members.

The controversy began after Murmu’s visit to Siliguri in North Bengal, where questions were raised about the absence of the chief minister at one of the events. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accused the state government of violating protocol and showing disrespect to the President. However, Mamata Banerjee rejected the allegations and said that no protocol violation had occurred. She also explained the reasons behind her inability to attend the particular programme during the President’s visit.

The political debate has intensified as West Bengal prepares for the upcoming assembly elections, with both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress trading accusations over the issue.