Kolkata: The Union Ministry rejected West Bengal State’s tableau proposal for the Republic Day parade on January 26^th.  The Ministry in its statement said that 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 Centre also denied permission to Maharashtra tableau for the Republic Day parade. Twenty two proposals comprising 16 states and Union Territories and six Ministries and departments have been shortlisted for the parade. The shortlist was compiled from as many as 56 tableau proposals- 32 from states and Union Territories and 24 from various Ministers and departments received by the Central Government.

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.

West Bengal MP Saugata Roy said that the state 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 Siva Sena MP Sanjay Raut has alleged it is political vendetta. The Centre is acting in a prejudiced manner against non- BJP states, said NCP MP Supriya Sule.