Setting politics aside, Mamata and President Ram Nath Kovind display an unusual bonhomie

It is customary for a President visiting a state to heap praise on its government and people. But the bonhomie seen between President Ram Nath Kovind and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a civic reception held in his honour in Kolkata surprised many.

The state has been at loggerheads with the ruling BJP at the Centre - the party which nominated the Dalit leader as President.

While addressing a civic reception held in his honour by the West Bengal Government and the Calcutta Municipal Corporation at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, what really stood out in the President's speech was the expression of his respect for the CM.

He thanked Mamata profusely for a painting she gifted him, saying he would not only hang it up in Rashtrapati Bhavan, but keep the painting in his heart itself.

"I did not know the Chief Minister has made this herself. It will not only adorn the wall of Rashtrapati Bhavan, but this gift will remain etched in my heart forever," he said.

Mamata too, in her speech, set aside the President's political background and called him a "friend, philosopher and guide".

"I am honoured and grateful that Mr Kovind accepted my invitation and I am really touched by the gesture that he showed to the people of Bengal," she said, adding she would be open to any suggestions from the President on how Bengal could continue down a path of improvement.

Keeping a vigil

Kovind also emphasised on the importance Bengal holds. "West Bengal has certain advantages and certain responsibilities being a border state", he said, adding that it must "guard against cross-border terrorism and radical forces trying to take advantage of the democratic spaces of our country".

On a four-day visit to West Bengal, Mizoram and Nagaland, the President spoke about the great legacy of the state and its people to reiterate the responsibility the state must undertake.

Speaking about the Government of India's "ambitious" Act East Policy, he spoke of how this involves "connectivity and economic initiatives" that will mutually benefit Bengal, India's northeastern states and neighbouring countries.

"The people of Bengal are crucial to this programme," he emphasised.

A significant gesture

The bonhomie displayed at the reception was unusual primarily because of the extended and ongoing fight between All India Trinamool Congress government and the BJP at the Centre over various issues from funding to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"The gesture shown by Banerjee is significant at a time when Trinamool is up in arms against BJP. Several bills including the renaming of Bengal to Bangla, are yet to be approved by the President of India. For that, she needs to maintain a cordial relation with him despite their having different political identities," says senior political analyst and former principal of Presidency College Amol Mukherjee.