Reinstating Dey, the state Education Department cited the recent Supreme Court order and said the Governor “unilaterally” took the decision, which was “illegal”.

Dey, who was appointed as the V-C of Gour Banga University last year by Governor Bose, said he would continue to remain on the post. “The authorization given to Prof Rajat Kishore Dey, as per Order No CU/WB/25/23, dated August 21, 2023 to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the office of the vice-chancellor of Gour Banga University, has been withdrawn… with immediate effect,” the Governor’s order stated.

Last Saturday, the Trinamool Congress-run professors’ organization WebCupa had held a one-day convention at the Gour Banga University grounds. Apart from state Education Minister Bratya Basu, about 1700 representatives of various colleges and universities of the state participated in the event. However, both the Congress and BJP alleged that it violated MCC.

“I felt humiliated when I received the notice from the Governor and the chancellor. I was not present at the said conference held on the university grounds. I did not know anything about this. But suddenly a conspiracy worked and I was removed. But then on Monday afternoon, the state government again ordered me to continue as the vice-chancellor of this university and I am happy about it,” Dey said.

WebCupa, a organisation of professors backed by the TMC have also raised questions about whether such steps can be taken in view of the complaints of the violation of MCC during the elections.

“This is completely baseless. No election code of conduct has been violated. Only the university ground was used. That too in accordance with the instructions of the Chancellor as well as the Governor and EC Committee of the University.

Last year, the Governor had removed the acting V-C of Jadavpur University Buddhadev Sau.