NDA leaders in TN condemn Mamata for ‘insulting’ Prez

Chennai: Leaders of the NDA in Tamil Nadu on Sunday flayed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly insulting President Droupadi Murmu during the latter's recent visit to Bengal. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said on X that it was "deeply saddening" that the President had to face such a situation. "Any disrespect, procedural lapse, or avoidable embarrassment involving the President of India at a public event is deeply regrettable and unacceptable. Constitutional offices are not mere ceremonial symbols — they embody the dignity of our Republic. Those entrusted with governance carry the responsibility of ensuring that administrative conduct always reflects due respect to the nation's highest office," EPS said.The criticism has come after the West Bengal govt deputed a mayor to welcome Murmu instead of ministers and allegedly changed the venue of an event involving Santal tribals, where the President participated. BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran termed Mamata's action "arrogant" and said the alleged insult was deliberate and deserved the strongest condemnation.Questioning her conduct, he charged that Banerjee has lost the quality to continue as chief minister after failing to ‘fulfil the basic responsibility' of personally welcoming the President. PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said the incident amounted to an insult to womanhood.