BJP member Manjinder Singh Sirsa speaks on DMK minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remark on Sanatana dharma

The political temperature between New Delhi and Kolkata has risen after the office of Droupadi Murmu declined a meeting request from the All India Trinamool Congress delegation. The party had sought an appointment to brief the President on tribal welfare initiatives undertaken by the West Bengal government. However, Rashtrapati Bhavan reportedly refused the request citing lack of time. The development follows a sharp exchange during the President’s visit to Siliguri where concerns were raised about protocol arrangements and the delivery of tribal welfare schemes. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the criticism and accused political opponents of using the controversy ahead of crucial assembly elections. The episode highlights the growing political friction between the Centre and the state government.