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    Controlling Covid-19, post-poll violence priorities: Bengal Governor

    Synopsis

    “It is time for the state government to work in cooperation with the Governor and stop post-poll violence and help people in distress. Everyone involved in such violence should be punished,” the Governor said. The chief minister took no action to prevent post-poll violence,” he added.

    jagdeep dhankarAgencies

    The Governor and Chief Minister were engaged in a war of words on Wednesday over the former’s visit to Sitalkuchi.

    Accusing West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her failure to take proper “positive steps” to stop post-poll violence in the state, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Wednesday that West Bengal has two priorities now –– controlling the Covid-19 pandemic and stopping post-poll violence.

    “It is time for the state government to work in cooperation with the Governor and stop post-poll violence and help people in distress. Everyone involved in such violence should be punished,” the Governor said. The chief minister took no action to prevent post-poll violence,” he added.

    He blamed the chief minister for instigating violence during the poll campaigns. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had referred the Cooch Behar firing as a “genocide” and allegedly instigated the people to incite violence, Dhankhar said.

    “Four states and a Union Territory went to polls and nowhere was violence witnessed, except in Bengal,” he said.

    The Governor, who reached Sitalkuchi in the afternoon, visited the families of victims of post-poll violence and spoke to them. He was shown black flags in some places. He urged Banerjee not to weaken the state administration by “breaking their mental strength” and allow them to work for the people. “It is time to work together. I will perform my Constitutional duties and continue to serve the people of the state,” Dhankhar said.

    Reacting to the Governor’s visit to Sitalkuchi, Sougata Roy, Trinamool Congress MP, said, “The West Bengal Governor is violating the basic principles of the Constitution. We will submit a deputation to the President demanding his resignation.”

    The Governor and Chief Minister were engaged in a war of words on Wednesday over the former’s visit to Sitalkuchi.


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