In a recorded statement released by the Raj Bhavan, Bose, in an apparent reference to the ruling TMC, said he was aware of the allegations made against him by a “political force” but he would not be deterred from his efforts to “expose corruption and curb violence”.
“Dear members of the Raj Bhavan staff, I welcome all generous allegations and the frequent innuendos passed on me by a political force. I understand there is more in the offing. But one thing is clear. None of the absurd dramas is going to deter me from a determined effort to expose corruption and curb violence. Character assassination is the last resort of a failing malevolence. Those who engineer these filthy narratives have totally moribund character…,” the Governor said.
“Now, I have information which is very important. I have information, my friends, that a more sinister plot has been hatched in the Raj Bhavan. We know the characters responsible for this. Beware.”
“I will not be surprised if I am blamed for the Bengal famine in 1943 or the infamous Great Calcutta Killings of 1946. That is the nature of the political forces working in the state. Please take it from me. I did not come to Bengal for rest and relaxation. I did not come to Bengal to walk on level ground,” Bose added.
The Governor also said that he knew Bengal was “an uphill task” and that people’s love keeps him motivated.
Hitting out at the TMC without taking any names, he said he was like the “captain of the storm, not captain of the calm”. “I am not surprised. I was briefed about what I can expect in Bengal by certain political parties. I have braved many storms. I tell the political party that is plotting against me, this is no storm. This is a storm in a teacup. Do not be surprised if you realise I am the storm. At least now the politico should realise that I would like to be the captain of the storm, not the captain of the calm…,” the Governor said.
“Bring out all weapons from your armoury, use them against me. I am willing. I am prepared. Sorry, my detractors, I have learned the lesson to fight not flight. Waiting for the next grenade and your hidden bullets. Yes. with great expectations. Please fire, I am willing to receive it,” Bose added.
“I am only assuring my brothers are sisters of Bengal…Ayi lorai ami lorbo. I shall continue my fight for the dignity and respect of brothers and sisters of Bengal,” the Governor further said.
The ruling TMC, meanwhile, stepped up its attack on Bose. At a rally in Purba Bardhaman district, TMC supremo Mamata Bannerjee said, “[Modi] has given his sandesh (message) on Sandeshkhali but I did not let any untoward incident happen there. There were land issues but I solved it through officers, but what is he doing?”
“Yesterday, a young woman who worked at the Raj Bhavan came out and spoke against the Governor’s harassment…I had heard of such incidents…The woman’s tears broke my heart. I have seen her video testimony. Before talking about Sandeshkhali, they should look at themselves first. Why did the Governor do this to someone, who worked at his home? He molested her twice,” the CM said.
“The woman cried and walked out saying she was too scared to work at Raj Bhavan anymore. She said that she was called at odd hours and was subjected to harassment. How dare these people talk about the dignity of our mothers and sisters?” she said.
Criticising the PM for staying silent on the issue at a second rally at Purbasthali in Purba Bardhaman district, Banerjee said, “You (PM) are doing so much drama on Sandeshkhali. We had taken necessary action the moment we found some aberrations. But you spent the entire night at Raj Bhavan even after the allegations by the hapless woman came to light. Why are you silent?”
The TMC also criticised Bose after the Raj Bhavan had banned the entry of state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya from its premises. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata on Friday, state Women and Child Development Minister Sashi Panja said, “The Governor is in arrogant mode and banned our finance minister from entering Raj Bhavan. Did he ever think that we were willing to go there? After this allegation, are we ready to enter that place? Ask us first.”
The party’s women’s wing took out a protest rally in Kolkata from Moulali crossing to Esplanade over the allegations against the Governor.
On Thursday afternoon, hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit the Raj Bhavan for a two-day tour of Bengal, a woman employee lodged a police complaint accusing Bose of sexual harassment. Bose had hit back saying “truth would triumph,” and he would not be “cowed down by engineered narratives”.
Deputy Commissioner of Central Division Indira Mukherjee had confirmed that a complaint was lodged at Hare Street police station and that an inquiry was on.