Monsoon Session of West Bengal Assembly: Governor and TMC govt at loggerheads again

Kolkata: West Bengal Governor and Trinamool Congress government in Bengal are at loggerheads again over the starting of monsoon session in Bengal assembly. The state government was planning to start the monsoon session on July 24 and had sent the file to Governor CV Ananda Bose for his approval.

However, the Governor questioned why it was sent at such a short notice and called state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay to Raj Bhawan immediately.

The state minister was out of station and hence Chief Secretary or Home Secretary was called by Bose, leading to uncertainty over starting of the monsoon session.


“Our Federal structure has been bulldozed. The Governor is not signing and allowing to start assembly also,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.

"A call came from the office of the Governor. I was told that if I can come to Raj Bhawan immediately, then the Governor will sign the file. I informed them that I am several kms away from Kolkata. If you don't come, please send the Chief Secretary or Home Secretary, I was instructed. I wanted to talk to the Governor personally but his office did not allow me. I felt insulted. Then, the departmental secretary was sent for his signature," Chattopadhyay said..

The minister said that he never had such “insulting” experience in his several decade-old political career.