The Mamata Banerjee government on Thursday went on a collision course with governor M.K. Narayanan for expressing displeasure over the deterioration of law and order in Bhangar. Mr Narayanan had on Wednesday said that the recent incidents had been “highly distressing and disturbing.” Terming them as “goondaism”, he had pointed out that the administration must take action against whoever was behind the violence impartially.
Reacting sharply to his statement, state panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee said that it was not appropriate for the governor who was the constitutional head of the state to make such a comment on the law and order situation. “This will create confusion among the people. If he wanted to know something (about Bhangar incident), he could have summoned senior officials like the chief secretary and sought a complete report. He should have made a comment on the basis of such a report. He should not have made such a major criticism of the state government only by reading newspaper reports about an isolated political clash,” he said.
In an apparent bid to suggest that the governor was speaking like a political personality, Mr Mukherjee said he was appointed by the Congress-led UPA government.
Pointing out that law and order was a state subject, he claimed that such statement could act as provocation. “We are keeping a watch on what he is saying,” Mr Mukherjee added meaningfully.
The chief minister is away on a tour of Burdwan district.