CPI(M) MP seeks contempt action against CM, moves HC

Attending a programme organised to mark the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Aurobindo at the Alipore Judges’ Court campus on Tuesday, the CM had said, “If I have made any mistake, you can slap me and I will not mind. After I came to power, I have not taken away the jobs of CPI(M) cadre, but why are you doing this? You don’t have the ability to give a job, but you are snatching away people’s livelihoods.”

The CM’s remarks were an apparent reference to Bhattacharya, who is fighting many cases against the government in the court.

“I will ask you to rethink…If someone loses his job suddenly, how will they look after their family? Give that person a chance. If needed, allow him to take another test. We will prepare another setup as per the court’s order,” she added. Urging the court to rethink its decisions to terminate the services, Banerjee had also said a re-examination can also be considered for such people.

Her remarks came as the High Court terminated the services of thousands of people who were allegedly appointed illegally as teaching and non-teaching staff at state-sponsored and state-aided schools through alleged manipulation in the recruitment process. Two central agencies — the CBI and ED — are probing the case, also referred to as school jobs scam.

CPI(M) MP Bhattacharya, in his plea to the High Court,  claimed that the matter was pending in the Supreme Court but the chief minister was raising questions about the cancellation of these appointments.

As the petition was related to the chief minister’s statement, the court also ordered a notice to be sent to the Advocate General. Banerjee’s remarks were met with criticism from both legal experts as well as the Opposition.

Former Justice Ashok Gangopadhyay said, “Those who have got jobs without following the legal procedure, their jobs should be cancelled.” BJP leader Rahul Sinha said “The chief minister is afraid that those who got jobs illegally will now reveal the whole conspiracy. Hence, the CM is trying to safeguard those people.”

Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) West Bengal unit secretary Chandidas Bhattacharya said, “People expected the CM to stand with those who were illegally kept out of the merit list and have been sitting on dharna for days. Instead, she has argued for the candidates who got the job illegally.”