New Delhi: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar on Monday called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and lodged a formal complaint over the state government's failure in managing the Covid-19 situation in the state.
Dhankar during his hour-long meeting also complained about the partisan role being played by the state police forces.
Coinciding the completion of one year in the chair, Governor Dhankar called on Home Minister Shah at the later's residence in New Delhi and discussed the prevailing situation of the state for over an hour.
Dhankar shared his concern with Shah pointing that Covid-19 deaths and positive cases are witnessing an alarming spike in the state.
"There is a lack of health facilities. Neither COVID nor non-COVID patients are getting proper treatment. People are in a state of deep worry at their situation," Dhankar told Shah.
Criticising the state police of playing a partisan role, Governor Dhankar said that it was high time that exemplary actions must be taken against senior police officials, who act in disregard of the conduct rules.
Governor Dhankar also complained of rampant corruption and nepotism in Amphan Relief distribution.
"The relief rather than benefiting the needy and entitled persons was siphoned to the members of the ruling party," Dhankar said during the meeting with Shah.
During the meeting, he also raised the issue of politicization of higher education in the state and also the role of vice-chancellors.
Before the meeting, Dhankar has tweeted that under Article 159 of the constitution, as a Governor he will try to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
The governance in the state has been the cause of concern and worry for about a year. The non-responsive stance of the government is most unfortunate," he said.
Interestingly, the state is going for Assembly election next year. And BJP is aiming to dethrone the Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal government.
"It's a right of the Governor to appraise the central government of the prevailing situation in the state. Governor Dhankar is doing the same...But he is extra vocal and his actions are also opposed to the State Government," said Gautam Lahiri, a senior and independent journalist.
"If the situation goes like this, the central government would definitely intervene," said Lahiri to ETV Bharat.
Also read: To fight COVID-19, city police launch 'Mask-up Kolkata' campaign
