24-Hour Deadline For Mamata Banerjee: Bengal Governor On BJP MP Attack
https://c.ndtvimg.com/2025-04/og4om0no_west-bengal-governor-cv-ananda-bose-_625x300_21_April_25.jpg?im=FaceCrop,algorithm=dnn,width=773,height=435New Delhi: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, in an exclusive interview with NDTV'S Aishvarya Jain, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Mamata Banerjee government, warning of possible constitutional action if law and order is not restored immediately.
The Governor's remarks come in the wake of a brutal attack on BJP MP Khagen Murmu (Malda North) and MLA Sankar Ghosh in North Bengal's Jalpaiguri district. Governor Bose, who visited the injured leaders at a Siliguri hospital, revealed that he has submitted a detailed report on the "strangulated" law and order situation to the President of India.
The Attack And The Ultimatum
The assault on BJP MP Khagen Murmu, a respected tribal leader, and MLA Sankar Ghosh took place while they were distributing relief in flood-affected Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri. Murmu sustained serious injuries in the attack. "It's a bizarre situation currently in West Bengal where people have been brutally attacked. MPs related to the SC community attacked, one MP who belongs to the ST community was brutally attacked," the Governor told NDTV.
Putting the state government on notice, Bose declared, "I have given strong advice to the state government to arrest the culprits within 24 hours."
He warned of constitutional consequences if the government failed to act, "Twenty-four hours are given to the Mamata Banerjee government to arrest culprits, and if action is not taken, other options available under the Constitution of India will be explored."
A Crisis Of Policing: 'Law And Order Is Strangulated'
Governor Bose was unsparing in his criticism of the state police, suggesting a collapse of the administrative machinery, "This kind of near anarchy cannot be allowed. Police are supposed to protect law and order in the state... In West Bengal, law and order is strangulated," the Governor asserted.
Expressing concern for ordinary citizens, he added, "Bengal deserves better policing. People are scared of gundas. This cannot continue. Strict action needs to be taken, and normalcy has to be returned. Where are the protectees?"
The Constitutional Options
In escalating the conflict with the state executive, the Governor confirmed that his observations have been conveyed to the President of India, while maintaining confidentiality of the report's contents, "According to my own observation, I have submitted the report to the President of India," he said.
On possible next steps, Bose hinted at invoking constitutional provisions to restore order, ''There are various states where constitutional options were invoked to maintain law and order, and in West Bengal as well, there can be such options that I can explore."
The "constitutional options" referred to by the Governor are widely interpreted to be the recommendation of President's Rule under Article 356 or the invocation of Article 355 - the Union's duty to protect a state against internal disturbance.
Personal Vs. Constitutional Relations
When questioned about his relationship with the Chief Minister, Bose drew a clear line between personal rapport and constitutional responsibility, "I share excellent relations with the Chief Minister. The channels of communication have always remained open. But personal relations are one thing, and constitutional relations are another," he said.
On allegations of political conspiracy surrounding the attacks, the Governor remarked, "There are many statements made to me in which they said there is conspiracy, but it is for the police to investigate how BJP MP and MLAs have been attacked."
The Governor concluded by placing responsibility squarely on the state government, "The state government should take appropriate action. Law and Order is the state subject. If the state government wants any support as far as central forces are concerned, they should let the central government know."
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