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Mamata Banerjee questions PM Modi’s respect for President Murmu using 2024 photograph

Mamata Banerjee criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi using a 2024 photograph during a rally as political tensions grow over President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to West Bengal.

Published

2 months ago

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mamta banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has intensified her attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid a growing dispute over President Droupadi Murmu’s recent visit to the state.

Speaking at a public rally, Banerjee referred to a photograph from March 2024 that shows the President standing while the Prime Minister is seated during a meeting with veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani. The Trinamool Congress leader questioned the government’s claims about respecting the office of the President.

According to a video shared by the Trinamool Congress, two party leaders displayed the photograph while Banerjee addressed the gathering. She argued that while leaders often speak about honouring the President’s office, such visual moments raise questions about whether that respect is truly reflected in conduct.

The photograph referenced by Banerjee was taken on March 31, 2024, when President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi visited Advani to present him with the Bharat Ratna.

Banerjee said the image showed the President standing while the Prime Minister remained seated. She asked whether the government truly respected the country’s first tribal woman President, adding that the picture demonstrated “who respects and who does not”.

President’s visit to Bengal triggers controversy

The political exchange began after President Murmu visited West Bengal on Saturday to attend the ninth International Santal Conference in Darjeeling.

While addressing the event, the President publicly noted that neither the chief minister nor other state ministers were present to receive her. She said that usually the chief minister welcomes the President during such visits but that did not happen in this case.

Murmu added that Banerjee is like a “younger sister” to her and said she did not know whether the chief minister was upset.

The President also raised concerns about the change in the event venue and suggested that the new location made it difficult for people to attend. She said she did not know why the state administration had not permitted the programme at the earlier venue.

Prime minister criticises Bengal government

Reacting to the developments, Prime Minister Modi described the situation as “shameful and unprecedented”. In a post on social media, he said the incident had saddened people who believe in democracy and in empowering tribal communities.

He added that the pain expressed by President Murmu had caused widespread concern and accused the West Bengal government of disrespecting the office of the President. The Prime Minister also said the dignity of the President’s position should remain above political disputes.

Speaking at a public event later, Modi said the developments were particularly unfortunate as they occurred on International Women’s Day. He alleged that the Trinamool Congress government had boycotted both the tribal event and the President.

Mamata Banerjee denies protocol violation

Banerjee rejected the allegations, saying no protocol lapse occurred during the visit.

According to the chief minister, the event had been organised by a private body, the International Santal Council, which invited the President to attend the conference in Siliguri. She said the district administration had warned the President’s Secretariat that the organisers lacked adequate arrangements to host such a programme.

Banerjee also stated that the advance team from the President’s Secretariat visited the site earlier in March and was informed about the shortcomings but the event continued as scheduled.

She added that officials including the mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the Darjeeling district magistrate and the Siliguri police commissioner received and saw off the President according to the approved protocol lineup.

The chief minister said she was not part of the official lineup or the event’s dais plan and accused the BJP of using the country’s highest constitutional office for political purposes.

Centre seeks report from state

The issue escalated further after Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan wrote to West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty seeking a report on alleged lapses during the President’s visit.

According to sources, the letter asked why senior state officials such as the chief minister, the chief secretary and the director general of police were not present to receive the President. It also raised concerns about reports of poor arrangements at the venue, including the absence of water in a washroom designated for the President and garbage along the route.

Officials from the Darjeeling district administration and Siliguri police were also mentioned in the communication, with the Centre seeking details of any action taken.

The controversy has now turned into a sharp political confrontation between the Centre and the West Bengal government.

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Delhi government announces two work-from-home days weekly for offices after PM Modi’s fuel-saving appeal

Delhi government employees will work from home twice a week under a new fuel conservation initiative announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for energy-saving measures.

Published

7 hours ago

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May 14, 2026

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Rekha Gupta cm

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that government offices in the national capital will observe two work-from-home days every week as part of a broader fuel conservation campaign launched after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption amid global economic uncertainty.

The measures, which will take effect from Friday, are part of the Delhi government’s “Mera Bharat Mera Yogdan” campaign aimed at promoting sustainable practices, reducing fuel usage and improving energy efficiency across departments.

Under the new policy, ministers, officers and government employees will also participate in a “Monday Metro” initiative, encouraging the use of public transport instead of private vehicles. Citizens have additionally been urged to observe one “No Vehicle Day” every week.

The Delhi government said no new petrol, diesel or electric vehicles would be purchased for the next six months. Officials also announced a one-year halt on official foreign travel for ministers and officers as part of the austerity measures.

The Chief Minister’s convoy has also been reduced to four vehicles, including two electric vehicles, in a move the government described as an effort to encourage cleaner mobility and lower fuel use.

Additional measures include increasing transport allowance for employees by 10%, installing master switches in government offices to reduce electricity wastage, and fixing air-conditioner temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius.

The government has also requested universities and educational institutions to conduct non-practical classes online to cut travel-related fuel consumption.

Prime Minister Modi had recently appealed to citizens to conserve fuel, use public transport, adopt carpooling and revive work-from-home arrangements wherever possible due to concerns over global supply disruptions and rising fuel prices linked to tensions in West Asia.

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India bans sugar exports till September 2026 amid domestic supply concerns

India has banned sugar exports with immediate effect until September 2026 or until further orders to stabilise domestic supply and control prices.

Published

11 hours ago

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May 14, 2026

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The Indian government has banned the export of sugar with immediate effect until September 30, 2026, or until further orders, in a move aimed at addressing domestic supply concerns and stabilising local prices.

According to an order issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the restriction applies to raw, white and refined sugar shipments.

The policy shift effectively changes the export status from “restricted” to “prohibited,” marking a significant tightening of India’s sugar export regime.

Shift from earlier export allowance

India had previously permitted limited sugar exports based on expectations of surplus production. However, the latest decision reverses that stance amid evolving supply conditions.

The move is intended to ensure sufficient domestic availability of sugar and control price pressures in the local market.

Key impact on trade and shipments

The ban will apply to all new export consignments of sugar categories covered under the order. However, exemptions may apply for shipments already in the pipeline, depending on compliance with specified conditions set by authorities.

The restriction is expected to significantly impact sugar trade flows, given India’s position as one of the world’s largest sugar producers and exporters.

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Congress ends Kerala suspense, VD Satheesan to be CM

Congress has named V D Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, concluding its internal deliberations over the state leadership.

Published

13 hours ago

on

May 14, 2026

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VD Satheesan

The Congress party has announced that V D Satheesan will be the next Chief Minister of Kerala, ending days of speculation over the leadership choice following the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) recent electoral victory.

The decision was taken by the party leadership after internal discussions and comes amid intense lobbying among senior leaders for the top post.

Leadership decision after prolonged suspense

According to reports, the announcement was made after a series of meetings within the Congress high command, which had been deliberating between multiple contenders for the chief minister’s post.

Satheesan, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, emerged as the final choice after discussions involving senior party leadership in Delhi.

Who is V D Satheesan

V D Satheesan is a senior Congress leader from Kerala and has been one of the party’s most prominent faces in the state. He has served as Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly since 2021 and has represented the Paravur constituency multiple times.

He is widely seen as a key strategist within the Congress-led UDF in Kerala.

Internal competition within Congress

The selection process had reportedly seen competition among several senior leaders, including K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, before the party finalized Satheesan’s name.

The delay in announcing the chief minister had led to speculation and political debate within Kerala’s political circles.

UDF returns to power in Kerala

The announcement follows the United Democratic Front’s electoral victory in the state, which ended the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) tenure in Kerala politics.

The new government formation is expected to take place soon after the formal swearing-in process is completed.

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