Mumbai: Tableau proposal for Maharashtra and Kerala failed to make the cut for Republic Day Parade 2020. Tableau proposal from West Bengal was not taken forward for further consideration by the expert committee after deliberations.
Opposition parties from various fronts called the decision of the Centre "discriminatory" and "prejudiced."
NCP leader Supriya Sule called this an “insult to the people here."
She tweeted, "Both Maharashtra and West Bengal have played a vital role in the country's independence. The act of denying permission to these states is an insult to the people here. There is a clear protest of this Central Government's action."
Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena also condemned the decision and tweeted, "Is there a political conspiracy behind the Chitrarath of Maharashtra and West Bengal that should not be seen on Republic Day at this time? Is it our crime that we are intensely patriotic?"
Kerala Law Minister A K Balan said the centre's decision was "politically motivated".
The Ministry of Defence announced the selection of 22 tableaux proposals for the Republic Day Parade 2020. A total of 56 tableaux proposals (32 from States/Union Territories and 24 from Ministries/Departments) were received for consideration out of which proposals from 16 States/UTs and 6 Ministries/Departments were shortlisted after a series of five meetings.
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