Summary:
Kolkata, Jan 25 (PTI) In a fresh standoff with the ruling Trinamool Congress, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday described the political condition prevailing in West Bengal as "horrible and frightening", while alleging that the people of the state do not have the freedom to exercise their franchise fearlessly.Dhankhar also accused state assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee of transgressing constitutional norms.While the Speaker termed the governor"s accusation "uncalled for", the TMC claimed that the governor is acting as the "working BJP president".The fresh war of words came a day before Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are scheduled to share dais at a Republic Day programme at Red Road in Kolkata.
The governor, after paying floral tributes at the statue of B R Ambedkar on the Assembly premises on the National Voters Day, said, "We have seen post-poll violence of unprecedented level.
Those who dared to vote according to their own volition had to pay the price with their life...
Democracy is in deep peril here." Noting that a fact-finding committee appointed by the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission had observed that rule of the ruler and not the law prevails in the state, he said, "This is an understatement; West Bengal"s situation is so horrible and frightening that there is horror about the ruler here." He came down heavily on Speaker Biman Banerjee, accusing him of violating constitutional norms and not providing information sought by him.
"The speaker....
he thinks he has the license to talk anything about the governor," Dhankhar told reporters.He claimed that on several occasions, the Speaker did not provide him with the information he had sought, including details of the assembly resolution on the extension of BSF"s area of operation.