Kolkata: West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday discounted chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s accusation on the Narendra Modi government of tapping her phone to spy on her.
He hit out at Ms Banerjee over snooping conducted by her government also.
In a startling revealation, Mr Dhankar disclosed that he too received complaints from many high-profile personalities, starting from politicians to businessmen to bureaucrats, who alleged to him during meetings about the breach of their privacy under the Trinamul Congress supremo's rule in the state.
Trinamul secretary general Partha Chatterjee branded him as a BJP spokesperson. On Ms Banerjee's claim a day before, the governor said, “Only the CM knows what information she has. All I can say is that many people from all walks of life have met me. They include heavyweight politicians, businessmen and senior administration officials.”
He added, “I had discussions with them. They have complained to me that their privacy is compromised here.” Countering the governor, Mr Chatterjee, also the education minister, reasoned, “It is found that he is poking his nose into other issues except the purpose for which he has come here as a constitutional head. He is a lawyer.”
He added, “It is better to talk straight. He is acting as a political party's spokesperson instead of honouring his post of governor. It is not sought after at all. He should make a list public about those who complained to him. All of them will be found to be from the BJP.”
The state education minister argued, “I fail to understand why he needs to counter Ms Banerjee when she says something as a CM of the state. This is done by the political leaders.”
Mr Dhankhar also resumed his tirade against Ms Banerjee's government for getting ignored at the state events after visiting her at her residence.
“Your governor has not been invited to a single state function. I happen to be the only governor in the entire country so far where the CM did not greet me on Deepawali. The Prime Minister went to the President. Every governor has been beneficiary. And let me tell you: I am hurt. Can you beat it?” he claimed expressing his anguish.
Mr Dhankhar added, “An international film festival is happening. So many countries are coming. And your governor is nowhere. Put yourself in my position and you know what happens. This is not the way.”
On November 8, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and other Bollywood personalities along with Ms Banerjee will inaugurate the film festival.
Taking a dig at him, Mr Chatterjee noted, “I have never heard such a childish complaint. All of us are matured. He is our constitutional head. Only he can say what benefits he gets by making such comments.”
