Fallout Of State-Centre Tussle: West Bengal CS Retires, To Be Mamata’s Chief Advisor

Kolkata: In another dramatic turn of events in the Centre-West Bengal tussle, the state’s Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay retired on Monday.

The Centre had, on May 28, directed the CS to report to North Block in Delhi on May 31 – four days after granting him extension for three months on the request of the state government. The letter also asked the state government to relieve him of his duties immediately.

But Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the state can’t release him at this juncture because he would be overseeing post-Cyclone Yaas and COVID-19 management. Hence, the CM requested the Centre’s order to be withdrawn.

The Centre wrote back saying that would not be possible, and the chief secretary would have to report to Delhi on Tuesday.

“We just got a letter from IAS cadre rules… GoI has asked Alapan to join tomorrow. The purpose of extension of service is not served,” Mamata said at a press conference.

“This is unconstitutional, we won’t accept this and let Alapan go,” Mamata said, adding that he would now serve as the chief minister’s personal advisor.

“It’s nothing but political vendetta… haven’t seen such a Prime Minister before,” Mamata fumed.

She announced that Harikrishna Dwivedi will be the state’s new chief secretary.

It may be recalled that Mamata, along with Alapan, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly and left for Digha without staying back for for a post-Yaas review meeting with the PM on May 28.