Kolkata: In a new low to their fractious relationship, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar levelled serious charges against the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government Sunday, alleging that the Raj Bhavan is under surveillance and his office documents are either getting leaked or “procured”.
Dhankhar made the allegations while addressing the media at Raj Bhavan Sunday following a brief event to mark former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s second death anniversary. He claimed some of his office documents, which should not go outside without his sanction, are getting circulated electronically.
“I am pained to say that the Raj Bhavan is under surveillance. A list or paper that should not go out of Raj Bhavan without my sanction is getting circulated outside. Documents are procured. I have initiated a very serious probe into it. Those who have done this must pay a heavy price,” Dhankhar said.
“On 14 August, a document was electronically shared using an app from here. That document came back to me from the highest authority of the government. My questions to the administration and police have not been impactful. Public servants cannot act like political servants. There has to be political neutrality,” he said, adding that these actions undermine the sanctity of the institution.
The Governor also warned public servants to discharge their duty, “otherwise the law will take its own course”.
Tensions escalating
Governor Dhankhar had also expressed displeasure Saturday as CM Mamata Banerjee skipped the ‘At Home’ function he had hosted at Raj Bhavan, which is part of the Independence Day tradition. But Banerjee did make an ‘unscheduled’ visit to Raj Bhavan around Saturday noon with top civil servants, and told media that she had a good ‘adda’ (informal chat) with the Governor, who, in turn, said her actions were “not in sync with Bengal’s rich heritage and sanctity of the occasion”.
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The vacant seat meant for CM @MamataOfficial at celebration of Independence Day at Raj Bhawan speaks volumes -has created unwholesome situation that is not in sync with rich culture and ethos of WB. There is just no rationale for this unbecoming stance. pic.twitter.com/w0vLBOXTCc
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) August 15, 2020
Over the last few days, Dhankhar has been raising concerns over “locust messaging”, referring to vandalised walls and banners calling him a ‘BJP dalal’ (broker).
This strategy #MAP is unfolding for quite sometime.
With each enquiry am I-packed with LOCUST MESSAGING on phone -trolling on tweeter. No action @MamataOfficial
Undaunted would continue to serve people of WB and enforce accountability of govt and officials as none above law. https://t.co/IjP2jFgxmn
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) August 13, 2020
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