The Chief Ministers’ Conclave on Cooperative Federalism and Centre-State relations, organised by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal here on Wednesday, accused the Centre of running parallel governments in non-BJP ruled States through Governors and Lieutenant-Governors.
“The Centre is interfering through the L-G and never before have 30 orders by an elected Chief Minister been declared null and void by a Governor,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the Governor in her State was taking orders from the Centre. “The Governor wrote to the Home Ministry asking for more force during the civic polls and I was never told of this,” she said.
Mr. Kejriwal later tweeted his surprise over her claim. “I was shocked to learn frm Mamta Di today that WB Governor also interfering in their day to day affairs, like LG does in Del. [sic]”
Although Mr. Kejriwal denied that the meeting was an attempt to form a third front, his party men did not rule out its possibility.
The conclave, however, did not live up to the billing as only the two of them turned up. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who too was invited, met Mr. Kejriwal but did not participate in the event, perhaps to avoid Ms. Banerjee, his party’s archrival in West Bengal.
Four others, including Bihar’s Nitish Kumar, sent their speeches, which were read out by Mr. Kejriwal.
“Because we fixed the date in advance without consulting the CMs, many couldn’t turn up as they are busy while some avoided due to political reasons,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
