Centre rejects West Bengal government's Republic Day tableau proposal, TMC hits back

"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," the Defence Ministry's statement has been quoted by NDTV.

"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," the statement added. 

Twenty-two proposals including 16 states and union territories and six ministries and departments have been shortlisted for the Republic Day parade.

Linking the rejection of West Bengal's proposal to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, the Trinamool Congress, which rules West Bengal, has hit back at the Centre saying it has rejected the proposal because of the party's opposition to the new citizenship law.

TMC Lok Sabha MP Saugata Roy told NDTV, "The rejection of the West Bengal tableau for the Republic Day parade is discriminatory. It has been done because West Bengal has been opposing the centre's CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and the NRC (National Register of Citizens) plans."

"West Bengal is known to be living state as far as culture, including arts, music and other things are concerned. So obviously, this is a discriminatory step taken by the central government against West Bengal," the senior TMC leader added.

(Image Credit: IBNS File)