'High Constitutional Office Must Get Dignity It Deserves': VP Radhakrishnan On President's Protocol Row

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday described "lapses" in President Droupadi Murmu's event in West Bengal as unfortunate, saying the high constitutional office must always get the dignity it deserves.

President Murmu on Saturday expressed her dismay over a low turnout at a tribal community event held near Bagdogra airport, questioning the decision to shift the venue from Bidhannagar.

She also noted the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers during her visit. "The office of the Hon'ble President is the highest constitutional office of our Republic and must always receive the dignity, protocol and respect it deserves," Radhakrishnan posted on X.

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He lamented as unfortunate the "lapse" in arrangements befitting Murmu's constitutional position. The vice president asserted that the sanctity of the office of the president must always be maintained and due respect accorded to the highest office of the nation.

Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the West Bengal government of insulting President Murmu during her visit to the state, saying it was "shameful and unprecedented" and the TMC dispensation "truly crossed all limits."

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Escalating her confrontation with constitutional authorities in the run-up to the assembly polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused President Murmu of speaking on BJP's advice, questioning her 'silence' on 'atrocities' against tribals in states such as Manipur and Chhattisgarh.

Banerjee's unusually sharp remarks came hours after Murmu, during a visit to north Bengal, questioned the pace of development among tribals in parts of the state, and wondered whether the CM was 'upset as neither she nor any state minister was present to receive her. The exchange has injected a fresh political edge into the tribal outreach battle between the ruling TMC and the BJP ahead of the polls, with Banerjee linking the controversy to the ongoing row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

"It's unfortunate that politics is being played by using the Hon'ble President on the advice of the BJP, and by alleging that no work has been done for tribals," Banerjee said.

(Note: Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Daily Jagran staff. Credit: PTI)