West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blocked Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Twitter, alleging that the latter makes unethical and unconstitutional statements against the state administration.
While addressing the media on Monday, the Chief Minister said: “I have blocked the Governor on Twitter. I was forced to do so. I went to meet him, we talked but without any gain. I had told Prime Minister Narendra Modi about this, but he also did not take any action.”
“Every day, the Governor abuses my administration. Makes unethical and unconstitutional statements. We have to listen to him as if we are his servants. He treats the elected government as bonded labour,” she said.
“When Dharma Vira was the Governor in the Left era, he did not sign any files. There was a movement about that. Eventually he had to resign. We have been suffering for a year-and-a-half,” she claimed.
She alleged that Governor Dhankhar targeted and threatened officials of the state government and top police officers. “He calls my officers daily. From DMs, SPs to the Chief Secretary, he is threatening everyone.
People of Bengal do not fear anyone and bow their heads. He should not interfere in policy decisions.”
“The Governor has withheld the file of the former Chief Justice of the High Court, the file of the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission. Howrah-Bali bill is stuck as it is still pending,” she complained.
Mamata compared the situation with the Pegasus spyware controversy and said: “Pegasus is being done from the Raj Bhavan. Phones of all district magistrates and SPs are tapped.”
In reply, Governor Dhankhar tweeted, “Under Article 167 it is Constitution ‘duty’ of the Chief Minister to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the State and proposals for legislation as the Governor may call for. Why ‘block’ information to Governor now for two years?” Referring to constitutional provisions, the Governor said Article 159 of the Constitution mandates to ensure none in the state “blocks” Constitutional Norms and Rules of Law and those in authority “bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India.”
Dhankhar also shared his WhatsApp message to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent on Monday morning. “Dialogue and harmony amongst constitutional functionaries is essence and spirit of democracy and mandate of the constitution. This can blossom with mutual regard and respect. There has been all through highest personal regard for you from my side. Am sure this will receive your thoughtful consideration. Regards,” reads the message.
Reacting to her complaint, BJP state president Sukanta Majumder said: “The Governor has acted in accordance with the Constitution. He has just fulfilled his responsibility. The Chief Minister is trying to escape.”
The state-Raj Bhavan clash reached the Delhi on Monday. Trinamool leader in the Lok Sabha Sudip Banerjee complained directly to President Ramnath Kovind about Governor Dhankhar. Banerjee later said: “I requested the President to remove the Governor of Bengal. It is detrimental to the country’s parliamentary democracy. He embarrasses everyone.”
WITH AGENCY INPUTS