Written to President, Modi on Governor's 'interference': West Bengal Speaker

Kolkata, December 25

West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay, who has had several run-ins with Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar in the recent past, on Saturday said he has written to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise them of Dhankhar’s “interference” in legislative matters.

The Speaker had earlier expressed anguish over Dhankhar’s insistence to administer oath to TMC MLAs, including CM Mamata Banerjee, after the September 30 elections.

He had engaged in a war of words with the governor over appointment of Mukul Roy as Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman.

The two have also sparred over a Bill seeking separation of Bally Municipality from Howrah Municipal Corporation. The bill has been passed by the Assembly and is waiting for the Governor’s assent.

“I have written to the PM and the President to complain against his (Governor’s) tendency to violate constitutional conventions, and interfere in legislative matters. His conduct does not befit the constitutional head of a state,” the Speaker said.

Bandopadhyay recently alleged that polls to Howrah Municipal Corporation were getting delayed with the governor taking time to give his assent to the bill.

Dhankhar said he was yet to get documents that he sought pertaining to the Bill.

Meanwhile, Dhankhar dismissed media reports that claimed he had approved exclusion of areas of Bally Municipality from the jurisdiction of Howrah civic body. He said it was under consideration as inputs from Chief Minister Banerjee were awaited. The Governor had earlier accused the government of not providing information he sought on Howrah Municipal Corporation Amendment Bill sent to him for his assent. — PTI

War of words: Points of contention

• WB Assembly Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay engaged in a war of words with the Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar over appointment of Mukul Roy as Public Accounts Committee chairman
• The two have also sparred over a Bill seeking separation of Bally Municipality from Howrah Municipal Corporation