Kolkata, Apr 5 (UNI) West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Friday ordered a judicial probe against State Education Minister Bratya Basu, alleging that the Minister not only violated election's model code of conduct, but was also involved in misusing university campus.
There were several complaints against Basu, Bose stated.
The judicial inquiry order happened a day after the Raj Bhawan
directed the state government to remove Basu from the Mamata Banerjee Ministry after the latter had chaired a meeting in the campus of Gour Banga University on
March 30 in which TMC MPs, MLAs and party candidates for Lok Sabha were
present.
The Governor told a private TV channel that he received many
complaints from the citizens, professors and others that the
state university campuses resembled “mini-Sandeshkhali,” citing
alleged instances of violence, corruption and political exploitation.
He said his Peace Room set up in Raj Bhawan received lots of
complaints that the university campus were being used for political
propaganda,
which is uncalled for educational institutions.
As chancellor of all state-run universities, the Governor said a
one-person commission headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court
judge would
investigate the complaints.
" In the light of the political meeting held in Gour Banga University
under the leadership and presence of Shri Bratya Basu (Minister of
Education) with other Ministers, MPs , MLAs and political leaders on
30th March, 2024, the Chancellor and Governor has directed the State
government to take action against the erring Minister who has
deliberately violated the election code of conduct,” a communication
from the Raj Bhavan said on Thursday.
The communication added that the
Governor had said, “Be you ever so high, the law is above you.”
The Minister, responding to the direction about taking action against
him, said the Governor has exceeded his "constitutional limit".
Minister Basu while retaliating in a post said, “Indian
Constitution clearly states the recommendation of appointment or
removal of any Minister lies with the Chief Minister. He (the
Governor) has not only shown his true colours, he has exceeded his
constitutional limit as well,” Basu said.
His take was that if he had at all violated the poll code, then it was
the prerogative of a political party to bring it to the notice of the
Election Commission of India.
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