Conflict politics intensified in Bengal: Center and Mamta government once again face to face; What will be Mamta's strategy on the transfer of the Chief Secretary?

Posted on 29th May 2021 by rohit kumar

The case of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not being included in the review meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assess the damage caused by Chakravarti storm Yas has been growing. The Prime Minister had called a review meeting at Kalinakunda airbase in Medinipur but topped Mamata's arrival by half an hour and instead of attending the meeting from above, she met the Prime Minister and submitted a government report to him on the damage and got out from there with his permission. She went.

 

When the Prime Minister arrived, neither Mamata nor any state government official was present on the spot to receive him. After that, the political charges and counter-allegations have been steadily increasing. On Friday night, Chief Secretary Alapan Banerjee was also directed to reach Delhi on deputation. This again predicts a confrontation between the Center and the state.

 

Mamta's plea

After all, why did Mamata reach the Prime Minister late by about half an hour and why did she not attend the meeting? Mamta argues that she was not properly informed about the meeting. He says that I was busy doing an aerial survey of the damage caused by the storm in different districts. I was told that the Prime Minister would arrive about 20 minutes late. That's why my helicopter kept spinning in the air.

 

As far as not attending the meeting is concerned, Mamta argues that her visit and administrative meetings were pre-decided, while the Prime Minister's program was delayed. So after submitting the report to the Prime Minister, she left for Digha with permission from him.

 

Mamta angry with Shubhendu's presence

This matter is not as straightforward as it appears. Till a day earlier, Mamta was scheduled to participate in the meeting with Modi. A senior leader of the Trinamool Congress says that it is not a custom to call the Leader of the Opposition in any such review meeting. But the Center called the Leader of the Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari, who has become his arch-enemy, in the meeting only to humiliate Mamata. Mamta had at the same time informed the Prime Minister's Office that she would not be able to stay in the meeting.

 

Action on Chief Secretary after Home Minister's tweet

Mamta's attitude was criticized by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP President JP Nadda, accusing him of insulting the Prime Minister. Shortly after Amit Shah's tweet on Friday evening, the central government issued a decree to reach Delhi on 31 May on deputation to the Chief Secretary of the state, Alapan Banerjee. Just this week, he was given a three-month extension.

 

TMC not happy with the Center's decision

Chief Minister Banerjee has not commented on the matter so far, but her close ones say that Mamata is very upset with the decision. The Chief Secretary was not only the head of the State Disaster Management Authority but was also handling the work of Covid management in the state. For this reason, the Chief Minister recommended an extension of service to them. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh called it an act of political vendetta. Ghosh says that the BJP is unable to defeat the Bengal Assembly elections. Therefore, it is making every effort to harass the Mamata Banerjee government.

 

Trinamool MP Sukhendu Shekhar Rai questions whether for the first time in the history of independent India, the chief secretary of a state has been forcibly called on central deputation? Merely because the people of Bengal elected Mamata, shocking the Modi-Shah duo in the election.

 

It is difficult for Mamta to stop it

The question of lacquer is whether Mamata will allow her chief secretary to go to Delhi? It is unlikely from Mamta's attitude. Law experts say that the decision of the law center is binding on the state government and the concerned officer, but it is relevant to mention here that last year, when the Center had forcibly summoned three IPS officers on deputation, Mamta was responsible for that decision. Was adamant against it and refused to leave them. However, the case later cooled down. This time it is difficult for Mamta to stop it.

 

Legal advice is taken on the issue

A Trinamool leader close to Mamta said that Mamata is currently seeking legal advice on the issue. This decision can also be challenged in court. The leader said that when the Prime Minister held a similar review meeting in Gujarat recently, the Leader of the Opposition was not invited therein. Then why was this done in Bengal? What is the role of the Leader of the Opposition in such a government meeting? The Trinamool Congress says that Shubhendu was called to the meeting deliberately to humiliate Mamata.

 

No help expected from Center: Mamta

Will this tension of the Center and the state increase the difficulties for those waiting for relief work in the storm-affected areas. The state government and the Trinamool Congress do not believe so. Mamta had said on Friday that she did not expect any help from the Center. The state government has released one thousand crores for relief work. If necessary, more funds will be released.

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