Bengal govt must withdraw ad that says NRC, citizenship law won't be implemented in state: Dhankhar

Speaking to reporters at Raj Bhavan, West Bengal Governor has called upon those in the position of power not to shirk responsibility as it is "no occasion to play politics". He said it is time for the CM to respect the Constitution and use her state machinery in a manner that confidence of people would be restored.

Kolkata (West Bengal): The advertisement, in which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee states that National Register of Citizens of India (NRC) and citizenship law will not be implemented in West Bengal, is unconstitutional and the government can't use public money for such campaigns, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at Raj Bhavan, Dhankhar called upon those in the position of power not to shirk responsibility as it is "no occasion to play politics".

"How can an elected head of a government use public money to give advertisement in national media that there will be no NRC, no CAB in the state? This advertisement is unconstitutional," the governor said.

"As the Constitutional head, I had very gracefully invited her (CM) attention, I had urged her to withdraw it. I am sure you all will agree that public money can't be used to lead an agitation against law of the land," he added.

The governor has been at loggerheads with the Mamata Banerjee government over several issues.

Dhankhar, who described the law and order situation in the state as "unimaginable", said the public property is being damaged in a wanton manner, ruthlessly and recklessly, and fear has been put in the minds of people belonging to a certain section of the society.

In an apparent reference to the chief minister, he said if there is a situation she cannot manage, she should seek assistance. "Indian Constitution allows it."

"If she thinks she needs assistance from any quarters she should indicate. We cannot let anarchy to rule," he said.

Violent protests over the amended Citizenship Act continued to rock various parts of West Bengal for the third consecutive day with several incidents of vandalism and arson being reported from different districts.

"It is not an occasion to pay lip service, it is an occasion to be on action mode," Dhankhar said, adding that there seems to be the total absence of accountability in certain quarters of the state.

"Police authorities could have anticipated the situation. They should have been more pro-active more involved. Emphasis should have been more to be on action mode," the governor said.

Dhankhar further said a certain section of the society is "hounded" in the state, particularly in Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia districts.

He said it is time for the chief minister to respect the Constitution and use her state machinery in a manner that confidence of people is restored.