The Trinamool Congress on Friday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India against Governor C.V. Ananda Bose for allegedly interfering with the Lok Sabha election process. In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, the Trinamool Congress has alleged that the Governor was running an office parallel to the ECI.
The Trinamool Congress said that Raj Bhavan has lodged a new portal ‘Log Sabha’ to listen to the grievances of voters and directly connect with them during the elections. “In such circumstances, we call upon you to restrain C.V. Ananda Bose from running a parallel electioneering system of so-called reporting of complaints and supervising the elections under the name and style of Log Sabha,” the Trinamool letter stated.
Sharing the letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on social media, Trinamool said that as per the Constitution of India, only “the ECI has the power and the authority to conduct activities that might affect the conduct of polls deeming Hon’ble Governor’s efforts to be unconstitutional in nature”.
Dr. Bose had on March 18 launched ‘Log Sabha’ portal for direct connect with the people during Lok Sabha elections. “As soon as the Chief Election Commission declared the conduct of the Lok Sabha elections, the Governor of West Bengal Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose has launched a new initiative Log Sabha,” Raj Bhawan Kolkata, posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In its communication to the CEC, the Trinamool Congress said that the actions of the Governor are ultra vires as they encroach upon the exclusive domain of the ECI. On March 21, Governor Bose visited Cooch Behar and met people who were injured in a political clash that broke out between the supporters of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress
“The Governor spent more than 45 minutes, listening to the grievances of both sides and reassuring them of effective and quick action in bringing peace and normalcy in the place,” Raj Bhawan, Kolkata, had posted on social media on March 21. The Governor had given a call to end political violence during elections and said that he will remain on the streets from 6 a.m. for that purpose.
