Governor's speech: Raj Bhavan, Mamata govt set for another showdown

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, who will address the state assembly on Friday at the beginning of the budget session, has hinted that he will make some changes in his speech, the text of which is prepared by the cabinet.

The Mamata Banerjee government had sent the draft of the speech to the governor after it was approved by the cabinet. Having read it thoroughly, the governor decided to add and replace certain paragraphs in the draft, and sent the intended corrections to the state cabinet. Now, with the state cabinet refusing to accept them, Dhankhar is all set to address the assembly as desired by him.

The governor’s office refused to elaborate which lines or paragraphs he would like to add or replace. It also did not specify what he had found objectionable in the text approved by the cabinet.

The latest developments have reminded an episode 53 years ago when then West Bengal governor Dharma Vira refused to read out the draft approved by the cabinet of the United Front government led by Prafulla Chandra Ghosh in 1967.

Recently, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan also wanted to sing a different tune, but later changed his mind due to intense pressure from the legislative members.

The meeting of Dhankhar with parliament affairs minister Partha Chatterjee and finance minister Amit Mitra two days ago has brought to light the bickering going on between the Raj Bhaban and State Secretariat over the issue.

The Raj Bhavan on Thursday said, “The address to be delivered by the governor (under Article 176 of the Constitution) was sent  by the state government after approval of the cabinet on February 3. Thereafter, the governor sent his suggestions as regards to replacements/additions to certain paragraphs and some additions of new paragraphs to the state government on the address that was made available after approval of state cabinet. The suggestions of the governor were sent to the state government on the morning of February 6.”

The governor’s office further said, “The stand of the state government on the issue has been communicated to Raj Bhavan in the evening on February 6 and the government has taken the stand that the text of the address, as already sent, is the final text. (But) Governor has indicated that he would address the issue in accordance of the Constitution and that his consistent position all through has been that there has to be strict adherence by all to the Constitution of India. He also asserted that he would not cross the Lakshman Rekha and not countenance deviation of Constitution from constitutional provisions by the executive or any authority of the state.” 

Speaking to media, Dhankhar said that the state government has every right to speak about its issues—its success and agenda of governance. “But as a governor I have my own rights to express my issues along with those of the government,” he said.

Sources said the governor wanted to see the money bill, which the government refused to agree. Finance Minister Mitra visited the governor and apprised him of the government’s inability. Even Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha met the governor and apprised him of the government's view on the  budget and money bill. 

However, neither the Raj Bhavan nor the government has officially reacted to such developments.

The government, however, warned that governor would be doing a great mistake if he wanted to deviate from the tradition and “legislative rules”.

“He must be a more intelligent man. Let us see what he does,” said Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya.

Meanwhile, the Mamata government found support from an unexpected quarter. Left front chairman and CPI(M) politburo member Biman Bose said, “Law and order of West Bengal is a big headache for all of us. But the governor must adhere to the protocol and spirit of the Constitution.”