Don’t observe State Foundation Day on Tuesday, Mamata urges Governor
The Hindu
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on June 19 wrote to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose urging him not to hold an event at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday to commemorate the foundation day of West Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on June 19 wrote to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose urging him not to hold an event at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday to commemorate the foundation day of West Bengal.
Ms. Banerjee, in her communication, said the State was not founded on any particular day, least of all on any 20th of June. “I am stunned and shocked to know that you have decided to organise a programme on 20.06.2023, at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata, commemorating what you have peculiarly chosen to describe as ‘the State Foundation Day of West Bengal’,” the Chief Minister wrote.
Ms. Banerjee also pointed out to a telephone conversation between her and the Governor where he had “admitted that unilateral and non-consultative decision to declare a particular day as the Foundation Day of the State of West Bengal is not warranted” and was “kind enough to assure that you would not proceed to hold the programme”.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s office has issued an invitation to observe the West Bengal State Foundation Day at the Throne Hall at the Raj Bhavan. The friction between the Raj Bhavan and the State government over observing State Foundation Day comes at a time when the differences between the two have come to the fore on the issue of holding panchayat polls in the State.
The Chief Minister pointed out that since Independence, people of West Bengal “have never rejoiced over, or commemorated, or celebrated, any day as the Foundation Day of West Bengal”. “Rather, we have seen the Partition as a result of the unleashing of communal forces that could not be resisted at that point of time,” she added. In the two-page letter, she emphasised that the State was formed through the infamous Radcliffe Award, “which was given legitimacy by the departing colonial/imperial government”.
The Chief Minister called the Governor’s initiative as “unilateral” without following any procedure of obtaining necessary consent of the State Cabinet and the State Legislature and an act that “would hurt the sentiments of people and insult and defame the millions of people in West Bengal”.
She also raised protest against a communication of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, on this calling it “ahistorical, unconstitutional and unilateral decision of the Government of India”.
Maharashtra SEC extends voters' list publication deadline to January 3 ahead of municipal elections on January 15.
A new irradiation center near Hyderabad airport will reduce transportation costs and damage for fruit farmers, boosting exports.
CBI challenges Delhi HC's suspension of Kuldeep Sengar's life sentence in the Unnao rape case at the Supreme Court.
Ramanathapuram farmers seek timely preservation of water bodies
BJP leaders claim town panchayat results reflect Congress government's failure amid ongoing leadership struggles and unmet promises.
Water level in Mullaperiyar dam on Thursday stood at 132.95 feet (the maximum permissible level is 142 ft.) with an inflow of 199 cusecs and a discharge of 1,000 cusecs.
Suvendu Adhikari urges Bangladesh to end attacks on Hindus, promising continued protests if violence persists against the community.
New Mayor V.K. Minimol prioritizes anti-corruption and a comprehensive mobility plan for Kochi's urban development and efficiency.
O. Sadasivan elected Mayor of Kozhikode, emphasizing collaborative city development and prioritizing waste management and agricultural projects.
The procedure of endoscopic removal of stone and blockage from the bile duct, followed by placement of Common Bile Duct (CBD) stent, widely practised in leading medical institutions and private hospitals, was performed for the first time at Government Thoothukudi Medical College and Hospital on a 10-year-old girl.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu emphasizes political decorum and warns against crime and character assassination in politics.
Prashant Jagtap joins Congress, citing ideological differences with NCP and criticizing BJP ahead of Pune civic elections.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq removes 'Hurriyat chairman' title amid pressure from authorities, sparking varied reactions across Kashmir's political landscape.