Adding a Bollywood twist to her newest confrontation with the Narendra Modi authorities, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee borrowed from the long-lasting movie ‘Sholay’ to urge opposition CMs within the nation to increase their voice with out worry towards an “autocratic Centre”.
“Jo darte hain who marte hain (death is certain for those who are afraid),” Banerjee stated as she warned the Centre that it could someday “repent” its makes an attempt to bulldoze federalism. “We are not scared by their threats. Bengal has never learnt to lose. We will always walk with our head held high,” she was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Alleging that the Centre was wanting to “divert attention” after its failure on numerous fronts, Banerjee stated “there has always been a Lakshman Rekha between the Union government and states”. “…they issued back-to-back letters, without any justification or reason. You could not give justice, and you are doing further injustice by targeting the bureaucracy… They cannot stop us from fighting,” she added.
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Banerjee was referring to the controversy brought on by the central deputation order on Alapan Bandyopadhyay, who retired as Bengal chief secretary on Monday and selected not to settle for the deputation, and the three-month extension granted to him by the Centre simply days in the past.
On May 28, Alapan Bandopadhyay was recalled by the Centre on deputation reportedly for his absence within the Cyclone assessment assembly chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kalaikunda on May 28. Reacting to which, Banerjee wrote a letter to the prime minister on Monday, saying she was “shocked and surprised” by the “unilateral order” asking Bandyopadhyay to report to the Centre, and made it clear that the state authorities “just isn’t releasing” him.
“The government of Bengal cannot release, and is not releasing, its Chief Secretary at this critical hour, on the basis of our understanding that the earlier order of extension, issued after lawful consultation in accordance with applicable laws, remains operational and valid,” Banerjee wrote. The Trinamool Congress on Monday stated that the Centre’s order to recall Bandopadhyay will have an effect on the battle towards the raging COVID-19 pandemic and aid work after the devastation wreaked by cyclone Yaas within the state.
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Alapan was due to retire on May 31, 2021 however he was given a three-month extension on request of the West Bengal authorities amid surge in COVID-19 circumstances and contemplating his huge expertise in managing aid operations throughout pure calamity. However, amid a recall order, Alapan determined to discontinue his extension and expressed his want to retire. Following his determination, she was made Mamata Banerjee’s Chief Adviser on Monday.
On May 10, 2021, West Bengal authorities requested for Alapan’s extension from the Centre and on May 24 they granted his extension. Surprisingly, on May 28, he was recalled on central deputation reportedly after he gave a miss to PM Modi’s assessment assembly at Kalaikunda in West Midnapore on May 28. Mamata Banerjee sought clarification from the Centre to make clear the explanation behind Alapan’s recall letter which was issued simply 4 days after giving him the extension for 3 months by the Centre itself.
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