'Politician Mamata Banerjee not my cup of tea': West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose
Times of India | 5 August 2024
West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose and CM Mamata Banerjee KOLKATA: West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose, in an interview on Sunday, expressed his respect for chief minister Mamata Banerjee as an individual and maintained professional relations with her, but clarified that the "politician Mamata Banerjee" is "not my cup of tea." Bose, who has clashed with the Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), discussed their complicated relationship and addressed allegations of sexual harassment and issues concerning state finances.
When asked about his relationship with Mamata Banerjee, Bose distinguished between her roles, stating, "Which Mamata Banerjee? There are three Mamata Banerjees in front of me."
He elaborated, saying, "One is the individual Mamata Banerjee. I have a very good relationship with her. Second is the CM Mamata Banerjee. I have professional relations with her. Third is the politician Mamata Banerjee, that's not my cup of tea."
Bose described how their roles became entangled during elections, stating, "During elections, she mixed up the issues. The chief minister merged with the politician, made certain statements. I also became an individual, not the governor. I sued her for damages, for defamation. That is the complexity of the relationship."
He continued, "Otherwise, Mamata Banerjee is my friend. The chief minister is my colleague and I am not a politician."
"Politicians play certain roles in their own way. I won't allow that to interfere with my self-respect. There the relationship stands," he said.
Bose faced allegations of sexual harassment from a contractual employee of Raj Bhavan, but an in-house preliminary inquiry by a Raj Bhavan panel dismissed the charges. Amidst attacks from Banerjee and TMC leaders over these allegations, Bose filed a defamation suit against Banerjee and some TMC leaders, leading to the Calcutta High Court preventing them from making any defamatory or incorrect statements against him until August 14.
Discussing the issue of pending bills, Bose refuted the West Bengal government's claim of him withholding assent on eight bills. "If I go into the lighter vein, the only bill which is pending in the Bengal Raj Bhavan are the fuel bills. No bill of the government which is sent by the Assembly is pending there," he asserted.
Bose clarified, "There is a case that eight bills are pending with the Governor. Six bills have been reserved for the President. One bill is kept for discussion with the offices of the Government on certain clarifications."
He added, "Once they come for clarification, those bills will be cleared or action will be taken this way or that way. One bill is sub-judice."
"Otherwise, there is no bill passed by the Assembly among the eight bills that they have pointed out pending with the Governor," Bose stated.
The Governor called for a White Paper on the state's finances, criticizing the financial management in the state as "tardy." He mentioned his readiness to take "action" as per the Constitution, depending on the White Paper.
"In many respects, financial management is very tardy, very poor and lopsided in Bengal. I could also come to the conclusion that, in many respects, the budget or the finance is seeing a breakdown," Bose remarked.
He continued, "There is a meltdown, rather, if I may say so, in Bengal."
Bose emphasized the importance of the White Paper, saying, "Instead of imposing my views on the government, I asked them to give a White Paper, their own assessment of the factual situation in the field. The White Paper will enable them to have a reality check."
Expressing his constitutional responsibility, Bose said, "It's my constitutional duty to uphold the Constitution and ensure the well-being of the people of West Bengal."
"If that is not there, action has to be taken. What is the action that can be taken? It is also spelt out very clearly in the Constitution. I have not made up my mind on that," he stated.
He concluded, "I will make up my mind, depending on the White Paper. Whenever it comes, I am willing to wait. Because my intention is to correct, not to accuse anybody."
When asked about the potential actions, he explained, "The Constitution lays down clearly. If there is a breakdown, or aberrations in the financial management of a state, there are certain constitutional provisions that are very evident."
"As Governor, I am not spelling it out because I have yet to make up my mind whether I should proceed in those directions," he added.