In an interesting development, Governor CV Ananda Bose is cutting short his outstation tour and returning to Raj Bhavan, Kolkata, today to personally lead an unprecedented joint combing operation across the entire Raj Bhavan complex.
According to an announcement made on the official X handle of Raj Bhavan, the Governor (referred to in the statement as “HG”) has directed that the entire Raj Bhavan building and its precincts be thoroughly combed by multiple security and emergency-response units.
The move comes amid escalating tensions following Trinamul Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee’s explosive allegation that Raj Bhavan was distributing weapons to “BJP criminals.”
The statement said that Raj Bhavan will be fully evacuated on Monday, to facilitate the combing operation, which will be broadcast live.
Members of the media and civil society have been invited to witness the exercise on the premises.
The Joint Combing Operation, described as a rare, full-scale security sweep of the Governor’s House, will be conducted by teams from Kolkata Police, the Raj Bhavan Police Outpost, the CRPF, the Bomb Squad, and the Dog Squad, while the Disaster Management and Civil Defence Departments will also participate by carrying out firefighting drills.
The Governor will personally lead the operation, signalling an attempt to counter and publicly disprove the allegations made by Banerjee.
The dramatic decision follows a deepening confrontation between Bose and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee.
On Saturday, reacting to Bose’s defence of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Banerjee alleged that Raj Bhavan was sheltering “criminals” of the BJP.
“He (Bose) is keeping criminals there, giving them guns and bombs, and telling them to attack Trinamul workers,” he had said.
Banerjee further accused the Governor of “parroting doctored speeches of his political masters in Delhi,” warning that the TMC would lodge FIRs across the state whenever the Governor made “false statements.”
Repeating his charges, he said: “As long as this BJP’s servant of a Governor stays, no good will happen in West Bengal.”
In response, Governor Bose directed Kolkata Police to register an FIR and begin an investigation into the allegations.
Raj Bhavan also reportedly cautioned the police that failure to act could draw consequences under the Governor’s constitutional powers.
Top officials confirmed that Bose is seeking legal opinion to proceed against Banerjee and is writing to the Lok Sabha Speaker requesting an inquiry.
Raj Bhavan has cited Sections 151, 152, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to restraining a Governor, sedition, and public mischief.
Calling Banerjee’s remarks “inflammatory, explosive and irresponsible”, Bose said the MP should “make amends” or face legal consequences.
He also stressed that the allegations undermined the credibility of the Kolkata Police, which is responsible for guarding Raj Bhavan.
Today’s live, multi-agency combing operation appears aimed at demonstrating transparency amid the growing controversy.
By opening the doors to media and civil society, and personally leading the drill, Governor Bose seems to be signalling that Raj Bhavan has “nothing to hide.”