West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that democratic powers were being seized by a “section of people” which, she felt, may lead to a presidential form of government in the country.
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Urging the judiciary and leaders in different fields to “save democracy”, the Chief Minister said if this trend continued, then a day would come when a presidential form of government would be brought in the country. Without naming the BJP, she implied that the ruling party was behind the move. Speaking at the convocation ceremony of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), she urged the judiciary to ensure that the federal structure of the country remained intact.
“All the democratic powers are being seized by a section of people; this might be going on for (bringing in) a presidential form of government,” Ms. Banerjee said. Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit, who is the Chancellor of the university, was present.
She said people were being harassed “unnecessarily”. The Chief Minister has tussled with the NDA government at the Centre on several occasions over the powers of the State government and the Union government.
Claiming that people were “crying behind closed doors”, Ms. Banerjee said she believed that the judiciary had to act as their saviour. She came down on the media accusing it of conducting media trials and making accusations against persons even before the judiciary could deliver its verdict. “Our only prestige is our respect... it cannot come back if it is taken away,” she said.