West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, on Wednesday, lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who accused him of having food from Taj Bengal every day, and using Pegasus software to spy on government officials from Raj Bhavan.
"This is bogus. A chief minister is making a false accusation that I have food from Taj Bengal every day. Such a blatant lie," the governor said on the sideline of his address in Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He challenged the CM to come up with evidence to substantiate her claims.
Dhankhat said nothing would stop him from following the path of the Constitution, and that he would continuously seek information on lack of governance in the state.
"This state government has deviated from the Constitutional provision. For last two-and- half-years I have seen it. They may do whatever they want to do. But I will remain on my position. She has taken oath under Constitution and under Article 167 the chief minister is bound to report to me," said Dhankhar.
He said the situation in the state is grim. "That is the reason people here call through Facebook, WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram App. And she is accusing me of espionage."
Dhankhar's sharp criticism came after two MPs of Trinamool Congress—Sudip Bandyopadhya, Saugata Roy—requested President of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call the governor back from the state.
"The prime minister told me that he would do it if I retire from politics. Apparently he wanted me to replace governor of Bengal," said Roy.
Dhankhar said he was shocked when on Republic Day the chief minister did not receive him at the venue. "It never happened at the history of Indian parliamentary democracy."
