Kolkata, March 10 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met former governor CV Ananda Bose at a state guest house here on Tuesday and said his removal from the Lok Bhavan before completing his tenure was “an injustice” and “politically motivated”.
It was the first meeting between Banerjee and Bose after he suddenly tendered his resignation on March 5, ahead of the assembly elections likely to be held in April. He is scheduled to leave the state on Wednesday.
“Since he will be leaving tomorrow and also because I have worked with him for a considerable time, we have had a very good relationship. I have come here to meet him. I know his family. I wish him good health,” Banerjee told reporters after meeting the former governor.
The CM, who reached the state government-run guest house in the southern part of the city’s Alipore area shortly after calling off her five-day dharna against the “flawed SIR”.
“I still believe that his removal from the chair of the Governor before he could complete his 5-year-term is an injustice to him and politically motivated. His removal happened just before the elections when he still had 1.5 years left to complete his term as Governor,” she said.
The chief minister said she asked Bose to return to the state in future.
“I have requested him to come back to Bengal as he understands the state better,” Banerjee said.
Asked about Bose’s reported plan to go to Darjeeling during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit on March 7 and 8, Banerjee said he could not travel as he had been removed from the governor’s post.
“He was scheduled to go to Darjeeling during the President's visit. We had provided him with the flight. He could not go because he was removed from the Governor's chair,” she said.
Banerjee claimed he was sent a message not to go to Darjeeling and to reach New Delhi instead.
The CM also said she had asked Bose to stay at the state guest house instead of a hotel.
“He wanted to stay in a hotel, and I told him to come to the guest house. This is a place where diplomats and other important people stay. I requested him to come and stay here as a state guest,” she added.
Later, in an X post, Banerjee said, “Dr Bose is an erudite and distinguished individual, and during his tenure, I had the opportunity to engage with him on matters concerning the welfare and progress of our state and its people. I have always valued these interactions.”
The TMC chief extended wishes to the former state governor for all his future endeavours.
“I am confident that with his wisdom and experience, he will continue to honour any responsibility he undertakes in the days to come,” Banerjee said in the post.