Kolkata, Dec 7 : A war of words erupted between West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and the state’s Legislative Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee after the latter alleged that the civic polls in the Howrah Municipal Corporation could not be conducted because the former refused to sign a Bill on the formation of Bally Municipality.
Dhankhar on the other hand alleged that Banerjee was speaking to him in an unconstitutional manner.
The controversy blew up when Banerjee in a program on Monday said: “The Municipal Corporation election of Howrah and Kolkata was supposed to take place together but as governor didn’t sign the Bill quickly so the election of Howrah Municipal Corporation couldn’t not be conducted.If he (Dhankhar), had understood what was needed immediately, he would have signed it.”
The Speaker also asked why the Governor couldn’t sign the Bally Municipality Bill.After all, the President of the United States can sign the farm laws within a day.
“Then the state could have conducted the election of both the corporations together on December 19,” he added.
The Speaker was referring to the Bally Municipality Bill which was moved in the Assembly to detach 16 wards of former Bally Municipality that is presently annexed with Howrah Municipal Corporation.
The Bill was presented and passed by the Assembly.However, the governor requested clarification from the government.
As the formation of Bally Municipality was jeopardised, the state government had to suspend the Howrah Municipal Corporation election and conduct only the Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls.
The proposal was sent back to the Governor demanding clarification.The Governor sent a four-page letter to the Speaker asking for clarification.”
Dhankar requested several documents to be considered in the Howrah Municipal Corporation Amendment (Bill, 2021) relating to hearings and adjudications of objections.
The Governor asked for a full record of consideration of the objections by the state government and proceedings and full details of objections and their disposal in relation to the Howrah Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Act, 2015.
He also sought the Assembly proceedings with respect to the Bill that finally led to the Howrah Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Act, 2015.
Reacting to the Speaker’s allegation, Dhankhar wrote on Twitter: “Stunned & surprised @BimanBanerjee18 stance at Howrah Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 pending consideration for want of as response @MamataOfficial to issues flagged on Nov 24.Worrying: Speaker WBLA has not made records in other matters for more than a year.”
“Speaker is not abiding by the constitution.I have followed the constitution to the letter.
He repeatedly spoke against me in violation of the constitution.Before he had spoke to me in the conference of the Speakers,” he added.
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