Relations between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Governor’s office in West Bengal took a fresh turn after Governor Jadgeep Dhankhar, on a visit to the state Assembly, found the gate locked.
Speaking to reporters outside a locked Gate No 3 of the Assembly — the gate designated for the Governor — Dhankhar told reporters that he had written to the Speaker stating that since the Assembly was adjourned for two days, it would be a good opportunity for him to “visit the historical background of the Assembly”.
On reaching the Assembly on Thursday, however, Dhankhar found the gate closed.
Dhankhar claimed that the Speaker’s office had spoken to his office, saying that he would be delighted to receive Dhankhar and his wife for lunch. The invitation was cancelled at the last moment, Dhankhar added.
“The Assembly being adjourned does not mean it is closed. The Governor's gate being locked has put our democratic history to shame," he said.
The West Bengal Assembly was adjourned for two days on Tuesday, 3 December, over “delay by the Governor in clearing important bills”.
On Wednesday, the governor visited Calcutta University, of which he is the Chancellor, to find it deserted, with not even the Vice-Chancellor in office. The Governor then hit out at the West Bengal government for stagnation in educational institutions.
The Trinamool government and Governor Dhankhar have been at loggerheads since the latter joined office earlier this year.
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