West Bengal governor says he shares cordial ties with CM Mamata Banerjee
"There are certain aberrations in society and corruption is one of them. Action has to be taken against it. It's a dynamic process," he said
West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose on Tuesday said he shares a “very cordial” relationship with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and has faced no difficulties in the state.
"I see the governor-CM relationship in two levels. As individuals, our relation is very cordial which is based on mutual respect and understanding,” said Bose, who finished a year in the post on Tuesday.
“As far as the relationship between the governor and the CM is concerned, the perception may be different because the elected chief minister and the nominated governor need not necessarily think alike on every issue," Bose told PTI.
"My role as the governor is upheld in the Constitution. I work for the well-being of the people. When we apply the yardstick of constitutional propriety, certain actions of the government, not only this government, may be found to be wanting.”
“There the governor has to step in. That may lead to apparent conflicts. But conflicts can be resolved because our constitutional democracy has the inner strength to reconcile conflicts," Bose added.
Governor’s standards
"I haven’t faced any difficulties in working as the governor here. I have been a civil servant. I have worked with various political parties. I go by what is right, what is proper, what is ethical, what is good."
“I have my own standards and those are not my subjective standards, but objective because they are based on the Constitution, the law of the land," he added.
On the Trinamool Congress' charge that he was running a parallel administration and interfering in the state's affairs, Bose said: "In a democracy, anyone can express their views freely, frankly and fearlessly.”
“The governor's views need not necessarily be of the government. Such dichotomy is natural to democracy. I go ahead which I think is right, legal, and constitutional. That's my approach.”
"In a democracy, criticism should be there. Somebody should be there to hold a mirror before you. I do not think that criticism should be shunned. Criticism is good and it should be welcomed. That's the beauty of democracy, I welcome it."
He was asked what prompted the governor to open the "anti-corruption cell" at Raj Bhavan.
Corruption charges
Bose referred to hundreds of petitions alleging corruption on various issues pouring in at his office.
"There is no question whether the state government has failed or succeeded. There are certain aberrations in society and corruption is one of such. Action has to be taken against it and eradicate it. It's a dynamic process," he added.
“My next priority will be to translate into action PM Narendra Modi's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' also includes Atmanirbhar Bengal,” he added.
(With agency inputs)
