Kolkata: In the latest twist to strained relations between Jagdeep Dhankhar and West Bengal government, the Governor on Saturday prorogued the state legislative assembly with effect from February 12.
That means the state assembly will be discontinued, without being dissolved.
“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Sub-Clause (a) of Clause (2) of Article 174 of the Constitution, I, Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of the State of West Bengal, hereby prorogue the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from 12 February, 2022,” Dhankhar tweeted. He attached the relevant order, signed by him.
The Governor’s decision comes ahead of the Budget session of West Bengal Assembly.
The Trinamool leadership described Dhankar’s move as “unprecedented” and one with “political motive”.
Ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its leaders have been at loggerheads with Dhankar on multiple issues since the latter took charge two and a half years ago.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee recently blocked the Governor on her Twitter. She has even written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to call back Dhankar.
Senior party leaders have written to President Ram Nath Kovind also, asking him to remove Dhankar as Bengal Governor.
State Parliamentary Affairs minister Partha Chatterjee had said that the state government was considering bringing a resolution against the Governor in the upcoming Assembly session.
