The inquiry report into the alleged violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) against West Bengal finance minister Asim Dasgupta may land him in trouble.
It has been learnt that the cryptic observation of state chief secretary Samar Ghosh on the file says: “His intention was not good and he left the office at around 8.45 pm only after he was told to do so.”
Dr Dasgupta is facing the Election Commission (EC)’s heat for allegedly breaching the MCC.
On March 1, after the formal announcement of election schedule, he had allegedly signed a large number of files and passed orders.
Though the chief secretary refused to divulge the content of the inquiry report which was sent to the state chief electoral officer (CEO), Mr Ghosh admitted the fact that he had written a forwarding letter enclosed with the report. “The finance secretary has prepared the report. It is a factual report,” the chief secretary said. The inquiry report has been sent to the Election Commission by the CEO. According to sources, the report contains some facts which might create problem for the state finance minister.
“If the files were routine ones, then why the finance minister was in the office till so late in the evening. He could have signed those files the next day. Later in an apparent damage control exercise, Dr Dasgupta had asked the finance secretary to call a meeting of the officers to ensure that no government order was issued on the signed files and the meeting was held at 2.30 pm on March 2,” sources revealed.