New Delhi, Mar 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into West Bengal’s TMC government today, slamming their handling of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit as a shocking insult to a tribal woman leader—right on International Women’s Day.
Speaking after launching new Delhi Metro lines and projects worth Rs 33,500 crore, Modi said Bengal’s “enlightened people” won’t forgive TMC for disrespecting Murmu, who hails from the Santhal community herself, during a key tribal event.
The row kicked off when the state abruptly shifted the venue of the Santhal conference, skipped proper protocol, and saw neither CM Mamata Banerjee nor her ministers show up. Murmu voiced frustration over the chaos, saying the new spot limited attendance and that bigger crowds could’ve fit.
Modi called it “deeply concerning” and “shameful,” accusing TMC of boycotting a sacred tribal celebration that meant so much to the President and her community. “They insulted a woman, a tribal, and the nation’s top office. The public, tribals, and women across India won’t forget,” he said at the event.
Mamata fired back, claiming Murmu was acting on BJP’s advice and questioning her silence on tribal issues in Manipur and Chhattisgarh. BJP leaders lapped it up, calling it TMC’s “arrogance” and a sign of crumbling state machinery.
Tensions are sky-high in poll-bound Bengal, where BJP eyes toppling Mamata’s 15-year rule. Modi tied it to TMC’s bigger sins like poor governance.
He also celebrated Women’s Day milestones: Over 3 crore women now “Lakhpati Didis” earning Rs 1 lakh+ yearly via self-help groups—a promise doubters called impossible.
Modi took a dig at Delhi’s ex-AAP government too, labeling it an “AAPda” that stalled progress for a decade. Now, he said, his team is fixing it with stuff like the Peripheral Expressway to ease traffic and Yamuna cleanup drives.
