West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum to the Mamata Banerjee-led government, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack on BJP MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Sankar Ghosh. The Governor warned that if the state failed to act within the deadline, he would be “compelled to explore other options available under the Constitution of India.” His strong statement came after visiting the injured leaders at a Siliguri hospital, where he assessed their condition firsthand.
The attack, which took place in Jalpaiguri district’s Nagrakata area, left both Murmu and Ghosh injured when a mob reportedly assaulted them during their visit to flood and landslide-affected regions. The violent incident triggered outrage within the BJP, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning it as “outright appalling.” The episode has since escalated tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the state government, intensifying the ongoing political rift in Bengal.
Speaking to India Today TV, Governor Bose reminded the state government of its constitutional duty to uphold law and order, stating that “the primary responsibility to maintain law and order as per the Constitution of India is with the state government.” He emphasized that the administration must act in a “very, very perceptible manner so that people are convinced” justice is being served. Bose underscored that an attack on elected representatives was not just a law-and-order issue but a direct threat to democracy itself.
“If there is no sense of security for elected representatives — particularly an MP from the Scheduled Tribes and an MLA — it means democracy is under attack,” Bose remarked. “This is something which a democratic nation can ill-afford,” he added, highlighting the broader implications of the incident for Bengal’s governance and democratic credibility.
The Governor expressed grave concern over what he described as an “anarchical situation” and a state of “Gundaraj” prevailing in some parts of West Bengal. He noted that such lawlessness was not unprecedented but warned that it could no longer be tolerated. “It must now be put down squarely by the contemporary government,” Bose asserted, signalling his expectation of immediate administrative action.
Bose further stated that the people of Bengal were being denied their constitutional right to life and security. “It is up to the government to guarantee that right. That is not being done in Bengal. That’s a very sad situation,” he lamented. Stressing accountability, he confirmed that he had already written to the state government demanding urgent arrests, reiterating, “I have already made it very clear through words and in writing that the culprits have to be arrested immediately. I stick to that — within 24 hours.”
The Governor concluded by noting that if his directive went unheeded, he would formally seek an explanation from the state administration and proceed “according to the Constitution.” His ultimatum marks one of the most direct confrontations yet between the Raj Bhavan and the Mamata Banerjee government, setting the stage for a potential constitutional standoff in West Bengal’s already charged political climate.
