‘Apologise or face legal action’: Governor's ultimatum after Kalyan Banerjee's 'weapons in Raj Bhavan' charge

Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee’s allegation that the Raj Bhavan was distributing weapons to the “BJP criminals” in the state has drawn a sharp reaction from Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, who said the MP should either apologise or face legal action.

 

Emphasising the serious implications of such allegations, Bose stated that Banerjee’s remarks undermine the credibility of the Kolkata Police, which is responsible for guarding the premises. 

 

"There are serious implications of these allegations. When a ruling party MP says that arms and ammunition are available inside the Raj Bhavan, is he expressing his lack of confidence in the police force of the state? Does it show any kind of inner party politics?,” he asked while talking to ANI news agency.

 

Bose cautioned that any claim of arms smuggling in Raj Bhavan would mean that the Kolkata Police had connived with the act.

 

"He (Banerjee) has to make amends; he has the option to apologise to the people of Bengal, or there are legal options that can be taken against him," Bose said. 

 

The governor said he would open the Raj Bhavan to the public for scrutiny and transparency.

 

“From 5 am onwards today, people, civil society members, and media are coming in to see whether there are any arms and ammunition in the Raj Bhavan," he said. 

 

Earlier, talking to the media in the morning, Bose said he would meet the reporters again in the evening to explain how he is going to handle the issue. “I will make up my mind on the matter and will come back to you this evening,” the Governor said.

 

Meanwhile, a Raj Bhavan insider told IANS that the office of the Governor was mulling all possible legal actions, including approaching the Lok Sabha Secretariat for action against Banerjee.

 

The TMC MP had launched a scathing attack on Bose on Saturday after the latter’s remarks on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision, saying the Raj Bhavan was being used to shelter "BJP criminals”.

 

"He (Bose) is keeping criminals there, giving them guns and bombs, and telling them to attack Trinamool workers. Let him stop this first," Banerjee had alleged.

 

The MP further called Bose an “incompetent governor”, saying nothing good will happen in West Bengal as long as he remains in the post.

India