Centre vs Mamata Banerjee: BJP fact-checks TMC's 'President standing' photo attack on PM Modi

The tussle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) over President Droupadi Murmu's recent visit to the state intensified as the Bengal unit of the saffron party fact-checked a claim by Trinamool calling it a "fake news factory".

Amid allegations of breach of protocol during President Murmu's visit, the Trinamool had claimed in a post with a video, "The Prime Minister keeps making grand claims about respecting the President's office. Let us take a good look at this photo. The country's first tribal woman President stands while the Prime Minister sits comfortably in his chair. All proclamations of respect for the President ring hollow when visual evidence reveals such casual disregard for her office."

In the video, Mamata Banerjee can be heard saying, "Honourable Prime Minister, this is for you. Do you respect the President, a woman and a tribal leader? Then why is the President standing and you are sitting? I have shown you all, we respect (the President), but they don't. This photograph proves who respects and who does not."

Retorting to that claim, West Bengal BJP took to X and said, "TMC’s Fake News factory at it again. The truth behind TMC’s manufactured outrage. As per official protocol during the presentation of Bharat Ratna award, others present remain seated while the award is being conferred. There was absolutely no breach of decorum."

TMC’s Fake News factory at it again. The truth behind TMC’s manufactured outrage. As per official protocol during the presentation of Bharat Ratna award, others present remain seated while the award is being conferred. There was absolutely no breach of decorum. It is shameful… https://t.co/eS12BWnAbrpic.twitter.com/SmcntLoYau

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— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) March 8, 2026

"It is shameful that TMC is once again trying to twist a dignified moment involving the Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, PM Shri Narendra Modi and Bharat Ratna Shri LK Advani for petty politics. Respect the dignity of the highest constitutional office instead of spreading misinformation," it added while sharing an almost two-year-old video.

The incident took place on March 31, 2024, when the President and Prime Minister met Advani and honoured him with the Bharat Ratna.

What is the row?

The row erupted after President Murmu visited Bengal on Saturday for the ninth International Santal Conference in Darjeeling.

Addressing the event, she wondered why Chief Minister Banerjee or any other Bengal minister did not receive her. "Generally, when the President is coming, the Chief Minister should be welcoming, and other ministers should be present. But she did not come. The governor has changed and could not come. But because the date was fixed, I have come," Murmu said.

The President said Banerjee is like her "younger sister". "I am also a daughter of Bengal. I do not know whether she is upset," she added.

The President also flagged the change of venue for the event. "I do not know why the state administration did not permit the meeting there. Today's programme is being held in a place where it is difficult for people to come. Perhaps the state government does not want the welfare of tribals," she said.

Addressing the issue, PM Modi described the developments as "shameful and unprecedented".

"Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people of India," he said in a post on X.

How TMC reacted?

Mamata Banerjee said that there was no protocol lapse during the President's visit and accused the BJP of using the country's highest office for politics. She also said that the state government had informed the President's office about poor arrangements for the event.