Mamata Didi is like my sister, don’t know if she was angry: President Droupadi Murmu expresses displeasure

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday expressed disappointment over the arrangements made for the International Santal Conference during her visit to Darjeeling, saying that the venue chosen for the event prevented many members of the Santal community from attending.

Addressing people after the conference, President Murmu said she felt the event should have been organised at a more accessible and spacious location so that a larger number of people could participate.

Prez Alleges Congested Venue

She noted that the area where she was speaking appeared large enough to accommodate lakhs of people and questioned why the administration had selected a comparatively congested venue.

“I realised it would have been better if the conference had been held here because the area is so vast. I don’t know what went through the administration’s mind when they said the place was congested. I believe nearly five lakh people could have gathered here easily,” the President said.

Also Read: From tribal hinterland to Rashtrapati Bhavan: President Droupadi Murmu’s inspiring journey captured in documentary film

Murmu expressed sadness that many Santal community members were unable to reach the conference venue as it was located far away. She remarked that it seemed as if the venue had been chosen in a way that would prevent people from attending the programme in large numbers.

Mamata Banerjee My Sister

The President also referred to the absence of Mamata Banerjee at the event, stating that when the President visits a place, the Chief Minister and other ministers generally attend the programme.

“I am also a daughter of Bengal. Mamata Didi is like my sister, my younger sister. I don’t know if she was angry with me, and that is why this happened,” Murmu said, adding an emotional note to her remarks.

The comments have drawn attention to the administrative arrangements for the conference and are likely to trigger political reactions in West Bengal in the coming days.