Mamata Banerjee calls off anti-SIR dharna, meets ex-Guv Ananda Bose

Kolkata: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday called off her dharna against Bengal SIR temporarily and met former Governor CV Ananda Bose. Banerjee claimed that injustice has been done to Bose and he was not allowed to complete his five-year term and was "forcefully removed". She also urged Bose to return to Bengal. "Injustice was done to him. He did not stay at the Raj Bhawan and had booked a hotel. I told him to stay at the state government special guest house built for diplomats. Bose is a long-term colleague and I know his family. We have a good relationship with him," she said.

Meanwhile, Banerjee slammed the ECI but hailed the SC for Tuesday's hearing, which she called a "victory of the people". "Even if the assembly election is declared in Bengal, the SC will handle these adjudication cases as special cases. It is in the hands of the SC. We will keep a watch on what happens. The HC chief justice will form a tribunal. Faith of people in the judiciary will remain intact," Banerjee said.

During the dharna, she drew a painting on Tuesday and wrote 'SIR Vanish' on paper and then erased the drawing on the fifth day of the dharna on voters' list revision.