KOLKATA: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and state governor Jagdeep Dhankhar found themselves praising each other on Wednesday instead of trying to fend off attacks from one another, though the Bengal CM did choose the Bengal Global Business Summit’s opening session to ask Dhankhar to “pass on a message to the Centre” to ensure that “industrialists (investing in Bengal)” are not troubled by agencies.
“All these industrialists out here, they can’t open their mouths. We want the Centre’s help. But I would like you to personally see that industrialists are not disturbed through some agencies,” she asked Dhankhar, who shared the dais with her.
The governor gestured that he did not hear her last words, prompting Banerjee to get closer to him and whisper something in his ears; they then shared a smile before the national anthem started. “I am excited that the governor has joined us for the BGBS programme. He gave an excellent opening speech, which we appreciate. Like your speech, we would appreciate your cooperation always,” Banerjee said before her “message to the Centre”.
The Bengal CM has repeatedly protested against the Centre’s “harassment” of opposition state governments and parties “through agencies” like the CBI and ED.
Several Bengal ministers and Trinamool leaders, including Firhad Hakim, Partha Chatterjee, Abhishek Banerjee and Anubrata Mandal, are now being investigated by these agencies. Trinamool has called the charges against its leaders a part of the Centre’s strategy to destabilise and threaten opposition-governed states.
Dhankhar delivered his address before Banerjee’s speech.
“If I flag some issues, the wholesome objective is for fast-track betterment of the state,” he said. “With her mature leadership, we believe CM Banerjee can resolve the disparity between east and west. I am sure the CM will do all she can to bolster the confidence of prospective investors,” he added.