Didi’s outburst an attempt to hide govt lapses: Bengal Governor

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Wednesday took on the State government and criticised the Chief Minister for “emotionally blackmail(ing) the people” with “baseless” allegations.

Criticising the Governor was an “attempt to cover lapses” and “divert attention” from the State’s failure to maintain law and order, a statement from the Raj Bhavan said.

The Chief Minister and the Governor had been on the warpath since Tuesday, with Banerjee accusing Tripathi of “insulting, humiliating and threatening” her over phone.

Tripathi had called up the Chief Minister to enquire about the State’s response to quell reported communal flare-ups in parts of the North-24 Parganas district. The inquiry was based on a submission by the State BJP.

“Her (CM’s) allegation is baseless and meant only to emotionally blackmail the people of West Bengal. The Governor further reiterates that he did not utter a single word to insult or threaten the Chief Minister,” the Raj Bhavan release added.

To complicate matters further, the State Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Partha Chatterjee, launched a fresh attack on the Governor on Wednesday, criticising him for instigating “a section of the people trying to create unrest”.

The Trinamool has already approached President Pranab Mukherjee with their grievances.

Making it clear that it was the Governor and his office that should feel insulted and humiliated, Tripathi said the Chief Minister and her colleagues should “direct their attention” to maintain peace and law and order without prejudice.

According to Tripathi, it should not be overlooked that the Governor is appointed by the President on the “recommendation of a democratically elected Union Government”.

“Instead of making accusations against him (Governor), it is better for the Chief Minister and her colleagues to direct their attention to maintain peace and law and order in the State without making any distinction on the basis of caste, creed or community,” the statement said.

Tripathi further reiterated that the Governor’s office will hear out whoever approaches it with a grievance.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, refused to be dragged into a fresh controversy over the Governor’s comments. “I have said what I had to,” Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister said “peace-keeping” forces, called “shanti bahini”, will be set up at the grass-roots level.

Consisting of students, senior citizens, religious leaders and even local people, the motley group will be set up at “polling-booth levels”. They will report to the local police station any attempt to foment trouble — religious or otherwise.

Accusing the BJP of fomenting communal unrest Banerjee said: “The BJP is spreading false propaganda on social media and creating flare ups. This will not be accepted. It is a conspiracy to keep us silent.”