'Excellent Working Relationship With Mamata's Govt': West Bengal Guv Amid Violence Ahead Of Panchayat Polls

West Bengal Governor Dr Bose stated that he and the state administration had conversations on difficult matters, but they were always held "respecting each other's turf."

West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose.

Source : Twitter/@ANI

Despite "agreements and disagreements," West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose declared on Saturday that he has an "excellent working relationship" with the Mamata Banerjee government. Bose stated that he and the state administration had conversations on difficult matters, but they were always held "respecting each other's turf."

In an interview with PTI at the Raj Bhavan, Bose stated that his first purpose is the welfare of the people of West Bengal and that he has never met any obstacles from the state administration.

"I have a very good working relationship with the state government. There can be agreements and disagreements. There can also be divergence of interests and priorities. That's what keeps the government going. We discuss sensitive issues but always maintain the ‘Lakshman Rekha' and never try to redraw it," Bose was quoted by PTI in its report. In the Ramayana, the 'Lakshman Rekha' is a line drawn by Lakshman around their abode in the Panchavati forest, where he was residing with his elder brother Rama and sister-in-law Sita. When Lakshman went out into the wilderness to hunt for Rama, he drew the boundary to safeguard Sita.

The Governor referred to Banerjee as a "Constitutional colleague" and stated that both should work together for the good of the people.

"We are constitutional colleagues and not in the game of assessing each other. We have to give good governance. That's what I am trying to do and I haven’t faced any obstacles so far," he said.

Speaking on upcoming panchayat polls, Bose said: "Just because there are some lawbreakers, people should not shy away from asserting their democratic rights. The lawbreakers have to be brought to book. Timely action against violence is needed."

In response to charges by the Trinamool Congress that he is working on behalf of the BJP, Bose stated that a political party criticising the Governor is not unusual in a democracy.

"A political party has the right to arrive at any political conclusion. They can assess the Governor in any manner they choose. This is a pluralistic society where different shades of opinion can grow. I welcome criticism and critics are the best teachers," Bose said.

Bengal Panchayat Polls Violence

Earlier this week, atleast three persons were killed in poll-related violence in West Bengal. While a CPI(M) worker was slain in Chopra, North Dinajpur district, two others were killed in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas district, where hostilities have been ongoing since Tuesday.

Voicing sorrow at the number of people killed in pre-election violence, Bose on Thursday stated: “Victory in elections should depend on the count of votes, not the count of dead bodies.” "Goons, hooligans, musclemen, lumpen and crash elements of the underworld lucifers, mammon’s and beelzebub’s shall not be allowed to rule the roost," he further added. 

On the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused opposition for instigating violence during nominations for the panchayat election. Denying the role of her party's (Trinamool Congress) workers in recent episodes of violence in the state on the day of nomination, the chief minister claimed people will respond appropriately to the opposition.

"In around 74,000 booths, some incidents have taken place in only two or three. In those incidents, our party workers are not involved," Banerjee informed PTI. 

"Opposition parties are trying to create disturbances by orchestrating violence while filing nominations. They are doing it to tarnish the state's image. If they (opposition) think they will unleash one-sided violence, then people will give a befitting reply," she said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal State Election Commission has now moved the Supreme Court to challenge the Calcutta High Court's order regarding the deployment of central forces in panchayat elections.

Also, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday called State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha for a discussion over Panchayat election-related issues, reported ANI.