Speaker-Governor clash takes a new turn in Bengal

On Wednesday, the Speaker of West Bengal assembly Biman Banerjee said that if the West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar expresses his desire to come to the assembly in the future, he would be welcomed. And that is why analysts think that the state-governor conflict in West Bengal has taken a new turn.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar with state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the 73rd Republic Day Parade, at Red Road, in Kolkata on Wednesday. ANI

The speaker however, said that if the governor himself expressed his desire to come to the assembly, then the assembly authorities would look into the reasons for his coming. Earlier the speaker had said that the governor could no longer come to the assembly on his own.

The argument being made by the assembly authorities is that the manner in which the governor attacked the speaker on January 25 when he came to lay a wreath at the statue of BR Ambedkar is unprecedented. The speaker claimed that the governor’s behavior was totally disrespectful. The speaker remarked that the role played by Jagdeep Dhankhar in the assembly did not suit him, at least as the governor.

Incidentally, standing next to the Speaker on January 25, the Governor remarked that the Legislative Assembly was not abiding by the Constitution.

The Speaker said, “The previous Governor has inaugurated many programs in Bengal. Even then there was press, there was media. He went to the press corner and talked to everyone. But none of them behaved like that. He wanted to come to the assembly himself. We have brought him with dignity. But we did not understand, he will use this platform to make a political statement.”

“I have asked for a CD of his speech. After seeing that, I will decide what to do next. ” The speaker added.

“Let me be clear, if Dhankhar wants to come, he has to provide a reason behind his visit to the assembly. He has some constitutional obligations, for which he has to come there. We have nothing to say. But if he wants to come to the assembly voluntarily, we want to know why he wants to come. ”

Incidentally, the governors have repeatedly clashed with the state administration in the past. Such as Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who was the Governor of Bengal from 2004 to 2009. Or even earlier, Governor Dharambir dismissed the United Front government led by veteran Congress leader Ajay Mukherjee.

But this clash between the Governor and the Speaker is unprecedented. Analysts believe that this instance of attacking the authorities or the speaker while standing in the assembly has not been seen in Bengal before.

In this context, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said, “The speaker’s statement is very sad. Which is unfortunate enough for this state to have a constitution. The Speaker does not have the power to control the motion of the Governor or to prevent the arrival of the Governor in the Legislative Assembly. It should be understood that the Speaker runs the Vidhan Sabha, it is not his house. “