Hours after Raj Bhavan initiated a probe into the "misuse" of Bengal university campuses for "political purposes", West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Saturday said that the state's education minister is "spoiling" his relations with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Bose, as reported by PTI, said, "My relation with my esteemed constitutional colleague - the chief minister - has not deteriorated. The attempts by the education minister (Bratya Basu) gave me apprehension whether this would undermine the strong relation of professional goodwill that I have with my constitutional colleague".
Governor Launches Probe Into 'Misuse' Of Universities For 'Political Motives'
Earlier in the day, media reports citing sources from Raj Bhavan said that the Governor has launched a judicial inquiry into what he terms the "corruption, violence, and misuse" of university premises within the state for political activities.
As per a report by the Indian Express, the inquiry will be led by a retired judge from either the Supreme Court or a High Court. It is to be noted that the development comes amid escalating tensions over recent events, including a convention organised by the Trinamool Congress-affiliated WebCupa at the Gour Banga University grounds.
The event was attended by around 1,700 representatives from various educational institutions. It even featured senior TMC leader and Education Minister Bratya Basu.
After this event, Governor Bose initially removed the vice-chancellor of the University, Rajat Kishore Dey. Notably, the state government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, reinstated Dey. The government called the Governor's decision "unilateral".
Reacting to the development, Basu took to X and said, "It is interesting to note that the Chancellor and Governor have ordered a judicial inquiry into the corruption, violence, and misuse of university campuses in West Bengal for electioneering and political purposes. Now, as we all know the government is not run through virtual social media like X or Facebook – the order of this inquiry should reach the government as well as the media. One more interesting thing is that the ‘Chancellor and Governor’ has ordered an inquiry! Now, the question is can the Chancellor exercise the powers that the Governor can? #Confusion Reigns Supreme!".
Responding to Basu, Bose said, "I am very glad to hear that. It shows that we have true democracy in this nation where anyone can criticise anyone else."
"He (Bratya Basu) is welcome to criticise me. Governor is not above criticism, Governor has to receive criticism when it comes from the people around," Bose was quoted as saying by PTI.
Echoing concerns, BJP's Sukanata Majumdar said, "Nobody is above the Constitution of India. Bratya Basu as a Cabinet Minister has violated the MCC and action must be taken against him. If they (TMC) feel that the Governor is partisan, they should approach the court".
Meanwhile, the Educationists’ Forum, in West Bengal, has called the inquiry a "planned conspiracy". They said that move aimed at undermining higher education in the state. The forum accused the Governor of targeting Basu. It further criticised the Governor's alleged overreach into matters concerning the state government's domain.