'WB Guv acting more dangerously than BJP mouthpiece': CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said Goverr Jagdeep Dhankhar was acting "more dangerously" than a BJP mouthpiece and it doesn't suit someone holding a constitutional post, hours after he criticised state's education system.

Dismissing Dhankhar's charge against government of being incommunicado, Banerjee said it seemed "we are servants".

"We are in regular touch with goverr. I have spoken to him four times on Wednesday... It's as if we are servants and work taking salaries and we will have to answer (him) every moment," Banerjee said at a press conference in state secretariat 'Nabanna'.

She also showed a bunch of official communications with goverr, saying, "What will (state) government do -- tackle COVID or continue answering his queries?" chief minister also assured vice-chancellors of state-run universities that y do t have to worry after Dhankhar warned of action for skipping a meet he had called.

" vice-chancellors should t worry. All of m are respected and y will continue to work in manner y have been working. We are with m. y have our 100 per cent support," she said.

"I told him (goverr) yesterday that if vice- chancellors have collectively written to him that y cant do it (attend meeting), n it's absolutely ir freedom of choice... Goverr can definitely send m his advise through (education) department... But I told him that remember if anything vindictive is done against m ( VCs), entire Bengal will roar," Banerjee said.

chief minister also criticised goverr, saying his claim that money is changing hands for admission to colleges is t true as process was made online two years back.

"In Bengal, we have made admission process online. He should look at Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and or states," she said.

She also raised episodes at Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi to train her guns at goverr, and BJP-led government at Centre at large.

"Tell me how many times I have been to Calcutta University. How many times did I go to Jadavpur University (JU) to show m my influence," she said, referring to chaos on JU campus last September when students blocked goverr's vehicle when he reached re to rescue Union minister Babul Supriyo who was held up by some pupils.

She also pointed to exit of bel laureate Amartya Sen from Nalanda University as she took on Dhankhar and BJP in one breath.

Banerjee reiterated that state government was against University Grants Commission's advisory of holding final exams at colleges and universities by September 30.

She also took potshots at goverr, who is chancellor of state-run universities, for issuing a show-cause tice to vice-chancellor of Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University.

She said it was an insult to Rajbangshi community and people of rrn region of state.

Banerjee's comments came hours after goverr said education system in West Bengal is "politically cd".

chief minister also criticised goverr for his claim that death of BJP leader and Hemtabad MLA Debendra Nath Roy was a political murder.

"I will wait till probe is over. I do t agree with him. I think he eir has to prove that it's a political murder or he has credibility to stay in chair. I think goverr is acting more dangerously than a BJP mouthpiece," she said.

In a dig, Banerjee said goverr should take care of himself during this ongoing pandemic and should t take any stress since elections are t happening in near future.

"I think he should take care of himself amid this COVID-19 pandemic. I want him to eat properly and stay healthy, do yoga and should t take mental stress as elections will take some time," she said.

Furr, chief minister questioned Air India's move to send certain employees on leave without pay for up to five years.

"What's happening? I've never heard of this. Will t Constitution come into play in this case," she said. 

Im Credits: PTI