I wrote on the special relationship between the Governor, an appointee by the President, and the Chief Minister, elected by the voters and the legislators. Unfortunately, the chemistry between them have been constantly deteriorating.
It is no surprise, therefore, when one tries to exploit any slips and lapses, and there have been many rooms for such recurrence in the State.
The Governor seems to be displeased with the lack of courtesy from the State Government, even as bureaucrats shun his invitation, advice or instructions to call on him. The latest stand-off has been over his request to the Chief Secretary of the State and the DGP to meet him to apprise the State’s law and order situation. West Bengal has been passing through some moments of concern over the last few days, with destruction of public property, in particular trains and buses over the Citizenship Amendment Act.
The Chief Minister’s clarion call to her citizens was perhaps misconstrued by a section, who went on wanton vandalism in some regions of the State. The State officials missing the Governor’s invite has rattled Raj Bhavan, and the Governor now has advised the Chief Minister to meet him, which I guess, will be missed as well. The battle between the constitutional appointee and the elected leader is facing newer heights, seldom witnessed in this country.
The CM has advised the citizens to protest, but peacefully, which I feel has come a bit late even as many trains cancelled and passengers stranded in several stations. Peace marches and protest marches are paralyzing the State, as in olden days.
I see a classic stamp of the poll strategist who, I guess, has smelt a win situation for the TMC and its leader Mamata. First, the police were around when the disturbances occurred in various parts with no effort to apprehend the miscreants. Secondly, with the call for peaceful protests, the CM has insulated herself and her party from any penal action. The CM has dared the Centre to dismiss the State Government, which again none will attempt now. It will propel Didi into the undisputed opposition leader holding the horns of Modi Shah duo.
In case of no action against the State government, for officially opposing an act of the Parliament, which is ultra vires to its constitutional obligations, the Centre will be eating a humble pie. If they take the ultimate action of the imposition of President’s rule under Art 356, which I am sure they will not dare, it will still help Mamata to become the undisputed champion of the oppressed and downtrodden minorities. In short, in this round of political battle, Mamata is the momentary winner. The Supreme Court’s interpretation of CAA might do or undo such win.
In case the SC junks the CAA, it can only be on the grounds of being discriminatory, the Centre can readily rectify it by including the ‘Persecuted Muslims’ in the list of others and the bill will be back to haunt Mamata. I await the Court’s call on the matter with interest. Such an amendment, though, will bring no relief to the illegal immigrants!
In the meanwhile, the Governor could stop tweeting and giving media bytes as a matter of routine. A fire engine does not ring its bells and circle the city needlessly, but remains in readiness to fight calamities and fires.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
