'Treats Elected Govt Like Bonded Labour': Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Blocks Governor Dhankhar On Twitter

Speaking to the media in Kolkata on Monday, CM Mamata Banerjee said, she has "blocked" Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar's Twitter account and accused him of "tapping phones" and "threatening" officials.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses a press conference at Nabanna, in Howrah. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: A day after West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar hit out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the state is turning into a gas chamber of democracy and can't see the "trampling of human rights", Mamata Banerjee blocked governor Dhankhar from her Twitter account.

Speaking to the media in Kolkata on Monday, CM Mamata Banerjee said, she has "blocked" Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar's Twitter account and accused him of "tapping phones" and "threatening" officials.

"I apologise for it in advance. He (Jagdeep Dhankhar) tweets something every day abusing me or my officers. Says unconstitutional, unethical things. He instructs not advises. Treats an elected government like bonded labour. That's why I have blocked him from my Twitter account. I was getting irritated," said Mamata Banerjee at the press conference.

Banerjee also said that she has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi a number of times for the removal of Dhankhar but "no action has been taken" in this regard.

Soon after Mamata Banerjee made the statement, Jagdeep Dhankhar took to Twitter to condemn the move. He posted a screenshot of Article 159 of the Constitution which lays down the functions of a Governor.

Guv WB : Mandated under Article 159 of the Constitution to ensure none in the state “blocks” Constitutional Norms and Rules of Law and those in authority “bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India” pic.twitter.com/gGDf3doAyJ

— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) January 31, 2022

In another tweet, Dhankhar said CM Mamata Banerjee is "constitutionally ordained to discharge a duty under Article 167 of the constitution to impart information on Pandemic Purchase Scam and other issues".

WB Guv : Under Article 167 it is Constitution “duty” of the Chief Minister to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the State and proposals for legislation as the Governor may call for.

Why “block” information to Guv now for two years ? pic.twitter.com/aOlEN5YZGb

— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) January 31, 2022

Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has been a staunch critique of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party Trinamool Congress over the law and order situation in the state. He has often taken to Twitter to express his displeasure over issues.

In his latest attack on the Chief Minister, Dhankhar on Sunday said that insults will not bog him down to perform his duties.

"I cannot see the hallowed land of Bengal getting blood-drenched (in violence) and becoming a laboratory for the trampling of human rights. People are saying that the state is turning into a gas chamber of democracy," Dhankhar said in his Twitter post.