West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar prorogues state Assembly
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh clarified that the order was issued based on the recommendation of the state Cabinet.
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday prorogued the state Assembly. Prorogation is discontinuing a session of Parliament or a legislative Assembly without dissolving it.
Following initial reports that he had issued the order without consulting the ruling Trinamool Congress leadership, Dhankhar clarified on Twitter that he had acted on the recommendation of the West Bengal government.
The development came ahead of the Budget session of the state Assembly, which was scheduled to begin either in February or March. The Trinamool Congress was contemplating bringing a motion against Dhankhar for his alleged interference in the functioning of the state government, reported The Indian Express.
The governor on Saturday said he was exercising his powers under Article 174 of the Constitution, pertaining to the prorogation and dissolution of sessions of the state legislatures.
“I, Jagdeep Dhankhar, governor of the state of West Bengal, hereby prorogue the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from February 12, 2022,” read the order issued by him.
WB Guv:
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) February 12, 2022
In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sub-clause (a) of clause (2) of article 174 of the Constitution, I, Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of the State of West Bengal, hereby prorogue the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from 12 February, 2022. pic.twitter.com/dtdHMivIup
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that the governor did not take the decision on his own, reported PTI. “He has prorogued the Assembly following the recommendation of the Cabinet,” he added. “There is no confusion in it.”
Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, the Trinamool Congress member in the Rajya Sabha, had on Friday moved a motion asking President Ram Nath Kovind to remove Dhankhar from the post, The Indian Express reported.
Ray moved the Motion under Rule 170 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States.
On January 31, West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee blocked Dhankar on Twitter because of his posts against the state government.
The West Bengal chief minister had also said that she has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi several times for the removal of Dhankhar as the state governor. But, no action has been taken so far, she added.
The governor and Banerjee have criticised each other a number of times over several matters since he took over the post in 2019.