The tussle between Raj Bhavan and the state secretariat in West Bengal is heading for yet another turn, as the Governor, C.V. Ananda Bose removed his press secretary Shekhar Banerjee with immediate effect.
Earlier this year tension brewed between the Raj Bhavan and the state secretariat over the Governor's decision to remove his erstwhile principal secretary Nandini Chakraborty from that chair.
As the news of the removal of Shekhar Banerjee from the chair of the press secretary of the Governor surfaced on Sunday afternoon, political observers feel that through this decision the Governor has actually tried to send a message to the secretariat of Nabanna.
Banerjee was deputed to the Raj Bhavan from the department of information and cultural affairs. State government sources said that it had always been the protocol and tradition that the Governor's press secretary is nominated from the state information and cultural affairs department.
"Although the Governor's choice is given preference while making such a nomination, it is unprecedented that a Governor has removed his press secretary in such an unceremonious manner," said a state government official who did not wish to be named.
The tiff between the Raj Bhavan and the ruling Trinamool Congress had reached its peaks in the recent past over the massive violence and bloodbath in the recently concluded polls for the three- tier Panchayat system in West Bengal.
Besides opening a 'Peace Room' within the Raj Bhavan premises, the Governor had extensively toured the violence- ridden pockets in West Bengal and interacted with the family members of the victims. The Governor also launched scathing attacks against the West Bengal State Election Commissioner, Rajiva Sinha holding him solely responsible for the violence and bloodbath which had so far taken a toll of 47 lives.
The Trinamool Congress leaders too have attacked the Governor in unprecedented terms and accused him of acting beyond his constitutional authority. Some ruling party leaders like maverick party legislator Madan Mitra had even said the government will have to book his return- ticket from Bengal after the rural civic body polls are over.
Sushanta demanded Centre to start direct flight service along Agartala-Mumbai route
The state transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Monday met the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu in Delhi and discussed a series of issues related to the development of air services from Agartala MBB Airport.
CM Dr Manik Saha discuses development railway services and infrastructure in Tripura
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday met the General Manager (Construction) of North East Frontier Railway here in his chamber at the secretariat and discussed a series of issues related to the further development of railway infrastructure in the state and ease passenger movement.
State to get Rs 150 Crore for Tourism, Sushanta Meets Union Minister Shekhawat
The Central Government has sanctioned an additional ₹150 crore for the enhancement of Tripura's tourism sector, Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury announced on Monday.
CM to inaugurate 34 projects of Rs 250 Crore tomorrow
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of various projects worth Rs 250 crore, comprising 34 projects, in Unakoti district tomorrow.
JP Nadda, BL Santosh arriving in state on March 9: CM Manik Saha
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today announced that BJP All India National President JP Nadda and National General Secretary (Org) B.L. Santosh will be arriving on March 9 to attend the two-year celebration of the present state government at Swami Vivekananda Maidan.
Two Bihar women held with cannabis at Agartala Railway Station
Acting on a tip-off, the Government Railway Police recovered 21 kg 65 grams of dried cannabis from two women at Agartala railway station. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is said to be over three lakh rupees.
UK PM announces new 1.6-billion-pound deal for Ukraine to buy missiles
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain will allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) of British export finance to purchase more than 5,000 air defence missiles.
'PM Modi working for welfare of all communities without discrimination', says Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah Committee chief
Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah Committee Chairman Syed Afsar Ali Nizami on Sunday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending the Sufi music festival 'Jahan-e-Khusro' and said that he gave the message of brotherhood and works for the welfare of all communities and religion without any discrimination.