West Bengal Governor Prorogues State Assembly After Govt Recommendation — Know What It Means

The order of prorogation is being seen as a result of prolonged conflict between the West Bengal Governor and the state government.

New Delhi: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday prorogued the State Assembly on the basis of Mamata Banerjee-led government's recommendation.

"In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sub-clause (a) of clause (2) of article 174 of the Constitution, I, Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of the State of West Bengal, hereby prorogue the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from 12 February, 2022, the Governor wrote in his order, which he also shared on Twitter.

He also clarified that the order was given "taking note of govt recommendation seeking proroguing of assembly".

What Is Prorogation?

Prorogation is discontinuing a session of the Parliament or a legislative assembly without dissolving it. After the order, a state government has to take permission from the Governor for the next session. The session begins with the Governor's speech.

This prorogation order has come ahead of the important budget session likely to commence from the end of February or early March. Notably, the ruling Trinamool Congress was reportedly mulling to bring a motion against Governor Dhankhar during the upcoming session as it accuses him of interfering in the day-to-today activities of the West Bengal government.

Spat Between CM Mamata Banerjee & Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar

This also comes in the backdrop of a public spat between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, which was further intensified as the TMC supremo revealed she blocked him on Twitter because she is "disturbed" by his regular posts against her government.

Notably, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray had on Friday submitted a Substantive Motion under Rule 170 in the Rajya Sabha, urging President Ram Nath Kovind to remove Jagdeep Dhankhar as West Bengal Governor.

Even as Governor Dhankhar stated that he prorogued the West Bengal Legislative Assembly taking note of the state government's recommendation, the TMC MP alleged that he "overstepped his constitutional duties".

"This is an unprecedented move. The Governor has overstepped his constitutional duties because there should be a gap of six months between two sessions of the state Assembly. No Governor of the country has ever done this before. Earlier, he was not giving his consent to several bills and now, he has prorogued the Assembly. This is completely unjust. The state government should move the court against this," TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said, as quoted by IANS.

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, meanwhile, supported Dhankhar's statement, as he said: "The governor did not take the decision on his own initiative. He has prorogued the Assembly following the recommendation of the Cabinet. There is no confusion in it", PTI reported. 

The order of prorogation is being seen as a result of prolonged conflict between the West Bengal Governor and the state government. Jagdeep Dhankhar has repeatedly alleged that his letters are not replied to, his queries are not answered and his constitutional authority is continuously undermined by the Speaker and the West Bengal government.

He had also alleged that the bureaucracy, including the chief secretary and the DGP, had failed to present themselves despite several reminders.

The Governor has been criticising the Mamata Banerjee-led government over a host of issues, seeking information and reports regarding appointments to various posts.

Reacting to the development, Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said: "He has the power to do this and he has exercised his power. This has been done because of the misrule of the state government and the continuous defiant stance taken by the administration."

(With Inputs From Agencies)