Governor must act to protect nationalists, says Suvendu; Bose welcomes ‘criticism’

“West Bengal had several renowned governors, from Gopal Krishna Gandhi to Jagdeep Dhankhar. We have seen how they played an active role. Unfortunately, we are yet to witness any such role of the present governor. The constitutional head must discharge his constitutional duties. He must act to protect the nationalists,” the BJP leader said.

Expressing unhappiness over Governor Bose seeking a report from the state government, Adhikari said: “Instead of asking reports from the state government, the Governor should recommend the Centre to impose Article 355 in two police station areas of Shibpur and Rishra. Central forces should be deployed in those areas for at least a month. They should take control of the two police stations to restore law and order. He should recommend this to the Centre. Then we will understand that he is here to do some work just like his predecessors and restrict himself to engage in mere press bytes.”

Reacting to Adhikari’s remarks, Governor Bose said he welcomed criticism and asserted that critics are the best teachers. “I thank Mr. Adhikari for criticising me. One can be critical… The Opposition leader has the right to make his demands. The Opposition has the role to oppose. The Opposition is equally important in a democracy. Therefore, the Opposition leader expressing a point of view is something natural in a democracy. There is a conflict of two entities here.”

“They (Gandhi and Dhankhar) are my illustrious predecessors. They are all great people, I am an ordinary human being. Comparison is only between comparables. I respect my friend Suvendu Adhikari for criticising me. Critics are the best teachers. He has held a mirror before me. I thank him for it. Please be critical, that will improve me,” he said during a news conference.

Governor, who visited the railway crossing in Rishra where clashes broke out on Monday night, said: “My next step is to ensure that the people of Bengal are able to live in peace and harmony. They should not be made hostages by the criminal and lumpen elements of society. The rule of law should be established. There should be welfare of the people.”

The ruling Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, slammed Adhikari for targeting the Governor and said that the BJP wants to convert Raj Bhavan into their playground.

“When the Governor does not act according to their wishes, they (BJP) do not shy away from attacking him. So far, Bose has not acted like his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar. This is the reason why they are so annoyed. Because the BJP has been made to believe that Raj Bhavan is like their party office,” said TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh.

Earlier in the day, a delegation of BJP leaders led by state party president Sukanta Majumdar was stopped by police from visiting the violence-hit areas of Hooghly district by the police for the second consecutive day.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC are in force in several places of the district where clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession on Sunday. Majumdar was on his way to Battala in Serampore Lok Sabha area to attend a protest programme. However, the Balurghat MP, who was along with party MP Jyotoirmoy Singh Mahato, was stopped on Dankuni Road by police.

“We have not violated Section 144 of the CrPC. We requested the police to only allow my party MP Jyotoirmoy Singh Mahato and me. The police didn’t pay heed. This is because that they want to hide the truth,” Majumdar, who again wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the Centre’s intervention, told reporters.

Similarly, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee was also stopped by the police at Rishra railway station after she tried to reach the violence-hit area by a local train. Chatterjee argued with policemen and demanded that she be allowed to step outside the railway station. However, the police did not heed her request.

Later, Chatterjee was made to board a local train back to Howrah station.

In a letter to Amit Shah, Majumdar alleged that the police were harassing and arresting Hindus without taking action against the “actual culprits from the minority community”.

“I again beg to draw attention to the law and order situation in West Bengal… The most unfortunate part is the role of the police under the present Director General of Police Manoj Malaviya which has completely lost its spine and impartiality,” he wrote.

The TMC hit back at the BJP, accusing it of trying to disrupt communal harmony. “The BJP is trying to disrupt communal harmony in the state. When the police have restored peace in the affected areas then why is BJP trying to create fresh trouble?” TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said.

Later in the day, Majumdar led a delegation of BJP leaders to Raj Bhavan and met Governor Bose. “We have submitted a deputation to the Governor over recent incidents of violence in Howrah and Hooghly. We have prayed for his intervention. The Governor himself has visited the areas today and he is very concerned about the situation. He has also requested us not to visit Rishra and other affected areas for the time being,” Majumdar said.