Bengal Governor says Abhishek 'crossed redline', slams 'VC replacement policy'

"Constitutional institutions in the state are under attack, the attack on judiciary is reprehensible. In a public meeting, attacking a judge who ordered CBI inquiry into SSC scam is most condemnable...the honorable Member of Parliament crossed the red line," the Governor said.

Siliguri (West Bengal): West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar seems to be heading on a collision course with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Government yet again. Dhankhar on Sunday attacked the ruling party in the State on the issues of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's remarks against a section of the judiciary and the State Government's decision to bring a law to replace the Governer with the Chief Minister as the Chancellors of State Universities.

Lashing out at Banerjee, the Governor said that criticizing a judge in a public meeting who has ordered a CBI inquiry into the SCC scam is a condemnable act adding that the TMC MP has crossed the red line.

"Constitutional institutions in the state are under attack, the attack on judiciary is reprehensible. In a public meeting, attacking a judge who ordered CBI inquiry into SSC scam is most condemnable...the honorable Member of Parliament crossed the red line," the Governor said. He urged the Chief Secretary to immediately take appropriate action in this regard.

Speaking to reporters at Bagdogra Airport, the Governor also expressed his reservations against the State Government's decision to bring a law in the Assembly replacing the Governor with the Chief Minister as the Chancellors of State Universities. He alleged that the decision is a tactic to "divert attention" from the SSC recruitment scam adding that he will examine whether the Governor's role can be curtailed in such a manner.

"State of education in WB is alarming. Twenty-five Vice Chancellors were appointed against law. I will examine whether the role of the Governor can be curtailed. These are tactics to divert attention from what is happening in (SSC) recruitment scam," said the Governor.

Banerjee on Saturday criticized "1 per cent of the judiciary" for ordering CBI probe in every case. "I feel ashamed to say that there are one or two people in the judiciary who are in hand in gloves and have a tacit understanding and are ordering CBI investigation into every case. This is just 1 per cent of the judiciary," said Banerjee. "If you think you will take action against me for speaking the truth, then I will speak the truth a thousand times," he added.