Calcutta HC: Legal Strife Between Governor and CM Undesirable
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Synopsis
On March 6, the Calcutta High Court conveyed that legal disputes between the Governor and the Chief Minister of any state are unproductive. This remark came during a defamation case involving West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, highlighting the need for dialogue over legal action.
Key Takeaways
- The Calcutta High Court believes that legal conflicts between state leaders are counterproductive.
- Justice Krishna Rao suggested resolving differences over tea.
- The Chief Minister's counsel supported the idea of amicable discussions.
- Constitutional protections for the Governor's role were questioned.
- The defamation suit stems from a dispute over a legislative oath-taking ceremony.
Kolkata, March 6 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court remarked on Thursday that a legal conflict between the Governor and the Chief Minister of any state is undesirable.
This statement was made by a single-judge bench led by Justice Krishna Rao while addressing a defamation lawsuit initiated by West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and three others from the previous year.
Justice Rao emphasized that such a legal conflict is detrimental to all parties involved, recommending that any disagreements be resolved through amicable discussions over tea, or as he put it, 'Chai Pe Charcha.'
In response to this suggestion, the counsel representing the Chief Minister requested that it be formally recorded in the day's directives. Justice Rao clarified that he was merely making a verbal recommendation and that a formal written directive could be provided later.
The Chief Minister's counsel and four-time Trinamool Congress MP Banerjee articulated in court that public figures should exhibit greater restraint in their actions. He raised concerns regarding the appropriateness of the Governor filing a lawsuit when the position already has constitutional safeguards.
In rebuttal, the Governor’s counsel, Dhiraj Trivedi, asserted that the role of the Governor is non-political.
Previously, a dispute arose surrounding the oath-taking ceremony of two newly-elected Trinamool legislators, Sayantika Banerjee from the Baranagar constituency in North 24 Parganas district and Reyat Houssen Sarkar from the Bhagabangola constituency in Murshidabad.
Governor Bose insisted that both legislators come to the Raj Bhawan for the oath administration.
In contrast, Banerjee and Sarkar maintained that the Governor should attend the West Bengal Assembly for the ceremony.
As the matter escalated, numerous Trinamool leaders, including the Chief Minister and the two newly-elected legislators, along with state General Secretary Kunal Ghosh, expressed criticism towards the Governor.
Subsequently, the Governor initiated a defamation lawsuit at the Calcutta High Court against these four individuals, with the Chief Minister’s name leading the list.
