C.V. Ananda Bose said on Thursday that he wanted to be a “ground zero” governor and visit all those places which were rocked by violence following the announcement of panchayat elections.
“As the governor, it is my duty and responsibility to see that the orders of Calcutta High Court are implemented by all functionaries in letter and spirit. I would like to visit the field and interact with the victims to understand the ground-level situation. As far as the violence in connection with the (panchayat) elections is concerned, I want to be a ground-zero governor. The politics of intimidation, the politics of murder and threat have to go, and it will go,” Bose told journalists at the government guesthouse here.
The governor said the high court had issued orders which needed to be implemented for free and fair elections across the state.
“The court is very specific that there should not be any infringement of human rights and has expressed displeasure over the preparedness for the elections. Strict instructions have been given to the state election commissioner to draw the line and implement the orders,” Bose pointed.
Over the past couple of weeks, the relations between Raj Bhavan and Nabanna have been strained because of Bose’s remarks on law and order in Bengal. The administration and the State Election Commission (SEC) should take all steps to prevent violence which led to the loss of lives, the governor had said.
Bose’s visit to Bhangar in South 24-Parganas didn’t go down well with the government. Trinamul Congress leaders have accused him of being biased.
Earlier on Thursday, a delegation of the United Gorkha Mancha — the grand alliance of parties formed in the hills to counter the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha headed by Anit Thapa and Trinamul — met the governor.
They submitted a memorandum to him over a series of demands and alleged some of their candidates were intimidated and even offered money so that they withdrew their nominations.
“We apprised the governor of the atrocities of Trinamul and its allies in the hills. Candidates of our alliance were threatened and forced to withdraw their nominations. There were attempts to bribe some of them. A considerable section of residents is worried as they have been told to stay away from polling booths,” said Raju Bista, the BJP MP of Darjeeling.
While speaking with Bose, Bista demanded that central paramilitary forces (CPMF) be deployed at every booth across the hills where the panchayat elections would be held after a gap of 22 years.
“We have also requested him to ensure that CPMF remains deployed in the hills for at least six weeks after the elections to prevent violence,” added the MP.
Bose, who had descended from Darjeeling on Wednesday to attend a meeting with vice-chancellors of some state universities, left for Kalimpong on Thursday. He is likely to spend a couple of days in the hills, said sources.