West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday met a delegation of 50 MLAs led by the leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The BJP heavyweight handed over a memorandum to the Governor, highlighting four issues including anti-defection and the diabolical law and order situation in the state. Later addressing the media, the governor expressed serious concern over the current situation and came down hard on the West Bengal government and subtly gave a rap on the knuckle to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by remarking that she shouldn’t force him to use his power.
“The government has got a mandate to rule. And they should rule according to the constitution. However, if they go outside the prescribed limits, they will force the system…they will force me (to use the power). And I do not want to be forced.” said Dhankar whilst adding that he has been resilient so far.
“My tears have dried up and yet I am optimistic,” Dhankhar added, hoping that West Bengal CM mends her ways.
As for the anti-defection law, the Guv remarked that it was very much in force in the state. “Being the Constitutional head of the state, let me make it clear that anti-defection law is applicable in full force in Bengal. It is as much applicable here as in other parts of the country,” he added.
During the press briefing, the Governor also used the words of Rabindranath Tagore to send a message to Mamata Banerjee to end the post-poll violence where BJP workers have been slaughtered.
“With folded hands, I want to appeal to all – we don’t want blood-soaked Bengal. There is no place for violence in this land. Rabindranath Tagore had said – ‘where the mind is without fear and head is held high’. I know no one’s mind is free from fear here,” said Dhankhar.
The Guv also took to Twitter to share the details of the meet, he tweeted, “Over 50 Opposition MLAs expressed serious concern at lawlessness @MamataOfficial and partisan stance @WBPolice @KolkataPolice and sought intervention as the situation was sliding. Governor assured the MLAs and LOP @SuvenduWB that he will look into grievances of which he is aware.” tweeted the Governor.
https://twitter.com/jdhankhar1/status/1404423109600415747
Governor Dhankhar has been the brute force standing his ground against the torrential rule of Mamata where political killings have become the new normal after the election results were announced on May 2. He had also allowed the CBI to probe against Mamata’s close compatriots in the Narada scam.
The TMC supremo got so enraged at the governor for giving his assent that she staged a protest against the CBI office and stopped the court hearing. Later, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee threatened that his party will send Jagdeep Dhankar to jail once he retires.
Read More: Mamata Banerjee left rattled as CBI arrests two TMC ministers and an MLA in Narada scam
“I know no criminal proceeding can be initiated against the governor but I will request each and everyone to lodge complaints at the concerned police stations wherever the governor has provoked violence, dividing religion…a case [against Jagdeep Dhankhar] can be started the day he retires.”
Read More: ‘The moment you step down, you will be in jail,’ TMC MP threatens to put West Bengal Governor in jail
Dhankar might not have insinuated that a President’s rule is in the offing but it doesn’t take much to join the dots that if he uses his powers, noting less than President’s rule will be imposed in the state. And that could be the beginning of the end for Mamata’s reign of terror.