Democracy at threat, voters not free to choose in Bengal: Governor

Kolkata: The democracy in West Bengal is in deep peril, and governance has left the framework of constitutional norms, state Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar claimed on Tuesday. While paying his tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar at the state assembly on 'National Voters' Day', he added that voters do not have the right to vote free and fair here, Asian News International reported.

He said that government officials in the state had forgotten the rules, and their actions are far away from constitutional norms as well as their conduct regulations. They are playing with fire and totally mistaken if they think what the man at Raj Bhavan can do, he said. It is his duty, obligation and constitutional oath to preserve and defend the constitution, he said.

He further said that voters do not have the right to vote free and fair in the state, referring to the riots that happened in the state after elections. Those who dared to vote according to their right paid the price with their lives, he said. Post poll violence with arson, loot, rape killings etc., was never heard before, he said and added that they were put to shame before the nation as well as the globe. Voters are the prime stakeholders of democracy, and democracy thrives, sustains and blossoms at their strength, he said.

The Governor alleged that the state chief secretary and head of the police force never responded to his calls and added that rule of law is not there in West Bengal. Over 25 vice-chancellors were appointed in the state without his consent, he said.