Mamata Banerjee calls on Governor Jadgeep Dhankhar
The matter concerning Legislative Council may figure in the talks.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called on Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj Bhawan. They are believed to be discussing various administrative matters, including the Legislative Council.
Last week, the West Bengal Assembly passed a resolution to create a Legislative Council in the state under Article 169 of the Constitution of India. Out of 265 members present, 196 MLAs voted in favour, while 69 voted against it. The formation of a Legislative Council was one of the promises made by the Trinamool Congress in its election manifesto.
The BJP has been opposing the plan. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has said that it would not be good for “smart governance”, and added that it was a ploy to accommodate some Trinamool leaders who had lost in the 2021 Assembly elections. He said that there was no Vidhan Parishad in 23 states. Only six states in the country – Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telengana – have Legislative Council. To set up the Legislative Council in Bengal, a Bill has to be passed in the Parliament. Bengal used to have an Upper House formed in 1952, but was abolished in 1969.
Other issues such as alleged post-poll violence in the state that the BJP leaders have been talking about and the Governor has mentioned on several occasions, may also figure in the talks.
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