Amid widespread violence that erupted in West Bengal over the filing of nomination papers for the July 8 Panchayat polls, Governor C V Ananda Bose seems to have turned pro-active in addressing the concerns of the Opposition parties and people at large in this regard, sending out strong messages to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led government over the need to maintain law and order in the state.
This has been reflected in recent days in the Governor’s visits to the violence-hit areas as well as his interactions with the government officials, political leaders and common people.
Following his visits to the affected areas in the South 24 Parganas district, Bose last night set up a “help room” at the Raj Bhavan to keep track of the situation in the state on a daily basis till the conclusion of the Panchayat polls, whose results will be declared on July 11.
The Governor’s move is seen as an attempt to provide a platform to the public and the Opposition parties to register their grievances at a time when the TMC government and the State Election Commission (SEC) are set to move the Supreme Court to challenge the Calcutta High Court’s order on deployment of the Central forces for the Panchayat polls.
Describing the help room as a “Peace Room”, a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said it was opened keeping “in view the numerous representations received from citizens on criminal intimidation in pre-poll Bengal“ and that it will refer various representations it will receive to the state government and the SEC for their appropriate action.
“In continuation of the frequent field visits of the Governor to the violence affected areas and in view of the numerous representations received from the citizens on the criminal intimidation in pre-poll Bengal, a help room has been opened in Raj Bhavan to respond to the grievances of the public. The Peace Room will refer the issues to the Government and State Election Commissioner for appropriate action,” read the statement, giving an email address and a 24/7 helpline number in this regard.
There have been massive violence in different parts of Bengal ever since the nomination process began for the Panchayat polls on June 9, with the 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 SEC to act upon the complaints related to the poll-related violence. “No words. Only action,” Bose said last week in this context. He also summoned State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha to the Raj Bhavan to brief him about the situation and asked him to take proper steps to stop the violence. Consequently, the SEC ordered the imposition of prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC in and around the nomination centres.
However, as the violence continued unabated resulting in several deaths, Bose decided to step out of the Raj Bhavan and visit violence-hit areas.
On Friday, Bose visited Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district where two persons were killed in clashes related to the rural polls. Bose not only met the victim families but also held meetings with the district officials and police officers there. He also said the perpetrators of violence would be silenced permanently and that people of the state have the right to exercise their franchise without fear.
On Saturday, Bose visited Canning area of the same district and expressed his displeasure at the “deterioration of democracy” in certain areas of the state.
“Unfortunately, in certain parts of the state I have witnessed deterioration of democracy. But I want to tell the people that there is no scope 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 Governor, I have a commitment not only to the Constitution of India but also to those who framed the Constitution. Therefore, a Governor is supposed to be the custodian of the Constitution and also defend the rights of the common man. Whenever there is an encroachment on any of these, I will certainly defend it with all might…. I am here, determined to stand by the people and to see that their right of a free and fair election is guaranteed in letter and spirit.”
Sources in the Raj Bhavan said Bose is now likely to visit Murshidabad district to meet families of those affected by the violence there.
On Saturday, Bose again summoned Rajiva Sinha, but the latter skipped it saying he was busy with the scrutiny of nomination papers.
The TMC has criticised the Governor for his interventions in the state administration’s work to maintain law and order in the run-up to the rural polls. Senior TMC leader and MP Sougata Roy said, “Three persons from TMC have been killed in poll violence. Law and order is under state government. It is not Governor’s work (to look after law and order). It is the work of the State Election Commissioner to look after the poll violence. Governor has no role to play after polls are announced.”
TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said, “Is the Governor a political agent? The Opposition is intentionally creating unrest in the state to get political mileage. But the Governor is playing the role of a BJP cadre and adding fuel to the false allegations levelled by the Left Front, Congress and BJP. He should also visit the places where our party workers were killed or sustained attacks,” said Ghosh.
The principal Opposition BJP has however welcomed the Governor’s move, saying the constitutional head of the state cannot remain a “mute spectator” when governance allegedly “fails” in the state. BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said, “The work which the ruling TMC, state government and SEC
should have done, is being done by the Governor. The constitutional head of the state is reaching out to the people to address their grievances following widespread violence perpetrated by the ruling party workers. They thought the Governor will remain a sitting duck at Raj Bhavan and act according to their whims and fancies. But the Governor is playing the role of a good administrator as he has experience of working as top government official. He is visiting the areas to take stock of the situation. People are showing a positive response to it.”
The CPI(M) and the Congress too welcomed the Governor’s move. Senior CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “If the TMC played no role in the violence, then why are they so worried about Governor’s visit? This means that something is fishy and the Governor’s move has rattled the ruling party.”
Bengal Congress chief Adhir Chowdhury said, “It is a welcome move. At least someone is keeping a watch. People will get confidence.”