Panelists feel that democracy cannot be allowed to be crippled in the state
The BJP is observing “Black Day” in West Bengal and a 12-hour shutdown in North 24 Parganas district’s Basirhat subdivision to protest the incidents of violence in the state.APN’s popular debate Mudda discussed the issue. Anchorperson Neha posed the questions to panelists, including the BJP’s Col Dayashankar Dubey, TMC’s Neeraj Roy, former judge Dinanath Shrivastava, political expert Prashant Tyagi and APN consultant Govind Pant Raju.
Dubey said: “The Governor is giving his report. There is a complete law and order breakdown. If the state government is unable to control the violence, PM is watching the scene. Some incident or the other is always there in the state. Mamata’s background is such, and she has been known to indulge in violent incidents.”
Roy said: “The BJP is desperate to interfere in any state. Worse law and order situation is in UP. Why will Mamta be bent upon bad publicity? It is the BJP that is getting so desperate.”
Tyagi said: “Many TMC supporters have joined the BJP. If they believed in TMC, they would not have left it. Democracy is taking a beating in the state.”
Roy said: “There is no centre’s programme that has been halted by Mamata, except the one called Ayushman. This is because she was already doing that in the state.”
Neha asked about the demand for Art 356 in the state. Raju said: “In West Bengal, law and order is weak, same is in UP too. But West Bengal is different from UP. It looks like no other political force is going to be allowed in West Bengal. This is bad for democracy, and is dangerous. This kind of attitude is not normal. It is not befitting a leader of such an important stature. Mamata should make way for someone else if she is unable to contain the violence.”
Roy said: “I am surprised Raju is talking like that. The guilty are sure to be punished. Anti-social elements can’t be allowed to get away. Mark by words, our vote share had not got down, even though the BJP has won seats in the state.”
Shrivastava said: “The Governor sends a report saying that law and order is slipping. If the President is convinced, in such a situation, President’s Rule can be clamped in the state. If case of internal disturbance, President’s Rule can be clamped. For Art 356 to come into force, the governor’s report is vital. There should be something more than just law and order situation.”
Dubey said: “As Raju, Tyagi and Shrivastava have stated, democracy cannot be compromised with. The common man’s security is the responsibility of the state government. If people want to protest, that does not become crime.”
Roy said: “If protesters come and jump in front of the chief minister, she is sure to object to that.”
Shrivastava said: “Credible evidence has to be collected by the governor and presented in his report to the centre. All parties do make an effort not to unnecessarily clamp President’s Rule.”
Tyagi said: “Mamata behaves like she is not the CM of the state, but as if West Bengal is like her personal fiefdom.”
Raju said:”After the BJP has made inroads, Mamata is feeling threatened and is getting desperate.”