The Union Ministry of Defence rejected West Bengal's proposal for the tableau, an integral part of the Republic Day parade on January 26, multiple reports claimed. "The tableau proposal of West Bengal government was examined by the expert committee in two rounds of meetings. The tableau proposal of the West Bengal government was not taken forward for further consideration by the committee after deliberations in the second meeting," NDTV quoted a ministry of defence statement. "The expert committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and visual impact before making its recommendations. Due to time constraints arising out of the overall duration of the parade, only a limited number of tableaux can be shortlisted for participation in the parade."
There were a total of 56 proposals in hand, coming in from 32 states/UTs and 24 ministries. 22 of them have been shortlisted. According to Hindustan Times, TMC MP Saugata Roy said, “To exclude Bengal would be gross discrimination. Bengal represents a rich heritage and its exclusion shows the partisanship of the Modi-Shah duo.”
TMC and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have been the vocal opponents of the BJP regime at the Centre, and their policies. The party on Wednesday observed its 22nd Foundation Day as 'Citizens' Day' as a mark of protest against the amended Citizenship Act and pledged not to stop until the "draconian law" is withdrawn. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, congratulated party workers on the occasion and said TMC is observing the day as 'Nagorik Dibas' (Citizens' Day) at the booth-level. "We are observing the foundation day of @AITCofficial as 'Nagorik Dibas' (Citizens' Day) in every booth of #Bangla. We all are citizens and Trinamool will continue to fight for the rights of the people. Jai Hind. Jai Bangla.
"#Trinamool22 Today @AITCofficial turns 22. The journey which began on January 1, 1998 has been full of struggles, but we have been steadfast in our resolve to fight for the people. We thank Maa-Mati-Manush for their constant support. Our workers are our biggest assets," she tweeted.
TMC general secretary Subrata Bakshi said laws are passed to help the people and not to divide the country. "The amended Citizenship Act is anti-people. It wants to divide the country on religious lines. So, if the people don't accept it, this law has to be withdrawn," he said. Claiming that the people of West Bengal have started rejecting the BJP, Bakshi hinted that the party would use the CAA and the proposed country-wide NRC as its main issues in the upcoming municipal elections in the state.
