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Amid widespread violence erupted in West Bengal over the filing of nomination papers for the 8th July Panchayat elections, Governor CV Ananda Bose appears to have turned proactive in addressing the concerns of opposition parties and people at large in this regard, sending strong messages to the Mamata-led Trinamool Congress government Banerjee on the need to maintain law and order in the state.
This has been reflected in recent days in the governor’s visits to areas hit by violence as well as his interactions with government officials, political leaders and the general public.
After his visits to affected areas in South 24 Parganas district, Bose last night set up a ‘help room’ in Raj Bhavan to track the situation in the state on a daily basis until the end of the panchayat polls, the results of which will be announced on July 11.
The governor’s move is seen as an attempt to provide a platform for the public and opposition parties to register their grievances at a time when the Transitional Military Council government and the State Election Commission (SEC) are set to move the High Court to challenge the Calcutta High Court court order to deploy central forces for the elections of the panchayat.
Describing the Help Room as a “room of peace”, a statement from Raj Bhavan said it had been opened keeping in mind the “numerous assurances received from citizens about criminal intimidation in Bengal ahead of the elections” and that it would refer the various statues. received to the state government and the Securities and Exchange Commission for appropriate action.
“Continuing the Governor’s frequent field visits to areas affected by violence and in view of the numerous assurances received from citizens about criminal intimidation in Bengal ahead of the elections, a Help Chamber has been opened in Raj Bhavan to respond to the grievances of the public. The Peace Chamber will refer cases to the Government and the State Election Commissioner for action. appropriate,” read the statement, giving an email address and the number of a 24/7 helpline in this regard.
There has been widespread violence in various parts of Bengal since the nomination process for the panchayat elections began on June 9, with opposition parties accusing the TMC of unleashing an alleged ‘reign of terror’. Seven people have been killed in this violence so far.
The governor first asked the state administration and the Securities and Exchange Commission to work on complaints of ballot-related violence. “No words,” Bose said last week in this context. The State Elections Commissioner Rajiva Sinha also summoned Raj Bhavan to brief him on the situation and asked him to take appropriate steps to stop the violence. As a result, the SEC ordered the imposition of a gag order under Section 144 of the Code of Procedure. criminal in and around the nomination centers.
However, with the violence continuing unabated resulting in many deaths, Bose decides to get out of Raj Bhavan and visit the areas hit by violence.
On Friday, Bose visited Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district where two people were killed in clashes related to rural elections. Bose not only interviewed the families of the victims, but also held meetings with district officials and police officers there. He also said that the perpetrators of acts of violence will be permanently silenced and that the people of the state have the right to exercise their right without fear.
On Saturday, Bose visited Canning in the same district and expressed his dismay at the “deterioration of democracy” in certain areas of the state.
“Unfortunately, in certain parts of the state I have witnessed a deterioration of democracy. But I want to tell people that there is no room for fear in democracy. I am with the people of the state. I will not tolerate atrocities, intimidation or violence,” he said.
Bose further said, “As a ruler, I have an obligation not only to the constitution of India but also to those who made the constitution. Therefore, the ruler is supposed to be the guardian of the constitution and also defend the rights of the common man. When there is an infringement of any of these, I will defend Definitely about it….I am here, determined to stand by the people and see that their right to free and fair elections is guaranteed in letter and spirit.”
Sources in Raj Bhavan said Bose is now likely to visit Murshidabad district to meet families of those affected by the violence there.
On Saturday, Bose once again called up Rajiva Sinha, but the latter sidestepped him saying he was busy checking nomination papers.
The TMC criticized the ruling government for its interference in the work of the state administration to maintain law and order in the run-up to rural elections. TMC leader and MP Sugata Roy said, “Three TMC people were killed in election violence. Law and order are under the state government. It is not the governor’s business (to take care of law and order). It is the job of the state election commissioner to take care of electoral violence.” The governor has no role to play after the election is announced.”
TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said, “Is the ruler a political agent? The opposition is deliberately creating unrest in the state to get political distances. But the governor is playing the role of a BJP cadre and adding oil to the false allegations being made by the Left Front, Congress and BJP “He should also visit the places where our staff members in our party have been killed or have been subjected to attacks,” Ghosh said.
However, the main opposition BJP welcomed the governor’s move, saying that the constitutional head of the state cannot remain a “silent spectator” when governance allegedly “fails” in the state. BJP National Vice President Dilip Ghosh said: “The work being done by the ruling Transitional Military Council, the state government and the Supreme Education Council
It should have been done, it is being done by the ruler. The constitutional head of state communicates with the people to address their grievances after widespread violence by ruling party workers. They believed that the ruler would remain a sitting duck in Raj Bhavan and act according to their whims and fantasies. But the governor plays the role of a good manager because he has work experience as a senior government official. He visits the regions to assess the situation. People show a positive response to that.”
The CPI (CPI) and Congress also welcomed the governor’s move. Sujan Chakraborty, a senior CPM leader, said, “If the TMC has not played any role in the violence, why is it so concerned about the governor’s visit? It means that something is fishy and the governor’s move has upset the ruling party.”
Bengal Congress President Adhir Chowdhury said, “It is a welcome step. At least someone is watching. People will gain confidence.”
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