WB Guv criticises Mamata Banerjee-govt for sectarian attitude towards BJP MPs

In a tweet, the West Bengal Governor, Jagdeep Dhankar today said, "How ironical! While one can feed thousands daily, others can’t even step out!"

Kolkata:West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar peeved at the Mamata Banerjee-government of the state over allegations that a section of BJP parliamentarians are virtually restricted to their homes by the state police and are not allowed to go out.

In a tweet, the Governor today said, "How ironical! While One can feed thousands daily, others can’t even step out!"

The Opposition BJP in the state has alleged that many party workers as well MPs are not allowed to venture out of their homes and are specially barred when they are trying to reach out to the people with relief material during the ongoing lockdown period. The Governor had also raised concern on the issue and had brought it in the notice of the state government.

In reply, the state home secretary had written to the Governor's secretariat saying, “On the subject of affirmative roles of representative of people and to inform that standard protocols are in place and Dms/Police administration has to necessarily follow the protocol within the four corners of the law.”

A peeved Dhankar today retorted with a tweet, “OMG! Where are we heading! What response of ACS Home @MamataOfficial to issues of curtailment of MPs activities. Bereft of any content. How ironical! While One can feed a thousand daily, others can't even step out! Very serious. Can't leave at this cover-up.”

The Governor didn't stop here and in an hour, in another tweet, he said, “This diversionary approach is not acceptable. Would urge CM to rectify. MPs @Drsubhassarkar @johnbarlabjp @ArjunsinghWB @RajuBistaBJP had raised valid issues as administration @MamataOfficial had compromised their activities. Such serious issues can't be so brushed aside.”

BJP MP from Barrackpore Arjun Singh was stopped by the police near Amdanga in North 24 Parganas on April 16, when the parliamentarian was on his way to Maricha area to oversee the distribution of relief material among residents.

BJP MPs from Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri, John Barla and Jayanta Kumar Roy respectively, have complained of similar experiences. They alleged that when Trinamool Congress functionaries are distributing relief material among the lockdown affected people, the police are not restricting them.

Whereas, when BJP leaders and workers are trying to do the same thing, they are being harassed by the police and are prevented from even venturing out of their homes.

Governor Jagdeep Dhankar and the Mamata Banerjee-government have been at loggerheads over various issues including health, education, and governance.