Mamata defying constitution: opposition

Kolkata, April 8 (IANS) In the wake of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refusing to comply with the Election Commission's order of transferring few officials of her state, the opposition Tuesday accused her defying the constitution and creating a constitutional crisis.

"This is unprecedented, nothing like this has been heard before. Is it her ego that is preventing her from complying with the law? If her defiance leads to constitutional crisis in the state, she will be the only person to be blamed," Left Front chairman Biman Bose told media persons here.

The poll panel Monday ordered the transfer of eight West Bengal officials, including five district police chiefs and one district magistrate, asking the state government to implement the order by Tuesday.

However, a defiant Banerjee refused to carry out the instruction and said she was even prepared to go to jail.

However, with the Banerjee government Tuesday writing to the commission urging it to reconsider the order, Bose dubbed the development as a climbdown.

"The chief secretary today has written to the EC and sent a list of names who might replace the officers who have been asked to be transferred. From outrightly refusing to comply the order to proposing names, the government surely has made a climbdown. Only time will tell, if she will relent more," added Bose.

The state Bharatiya Janata Party which has formally lodged a complaint with the poll panel urged the poll panel to show cause Banerjee for defying the constitution.

"She never had any regard for any democratic or constitutional set up. If she is allowed to continue the constitution like this, there will be a constitutional crisis. That is why we have urged the EC to show cause her," state party president Rahul Sinha said.

Congress leader and former state president Pradip Bhattacharya ridiculed Banerjee for her outburst.

"Had she read the constitution, she would have known that the constitution has invested vast power with the EC. By defying the constitution, she is setting up a bad president which might lead to a crisis," said Bhattacharya.