Powers being seized by a section, may lead to presidential form of govt: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata, Oct 30: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday claimed that democratic powers are being seized by a "section of people" which she felt may lead to a presidential form of government in the country.
Urging the judiciary and leaders in different fields to "save democracy", the chief minister said at a programme here that if this trend continues, then a day will come when a presidential form of government will be brought in the country.
Without naming the BJP, she implied that the ruling party was behind the move.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), she urged the judiciary to ensure that the federal structure of the country remains intact.
"All the democratic powers are being seized by a section of people; this might be going on for (bringing in) a presidential form of government " Banerjee, who was the chief guest at the convocation, said.
Chief Justice of India, Justice U U Lalit, who is the chancellor of the university, was present on the occasion.
She also claimed that people were being harassed "unnecessarily".
The West Bengal chief minister has tussled with the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre on several occasions over the powers of the state and the central government.
Claiming that at present people are "crying behind closed doors", Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said she believes that the judiciary has to act as their saviour.
She came down on the fourth pillar accusing it of conducting media trials in different matters and accusations are being made against persons even before the judiciary can deliver its verdict.
"Our only prestige is our respect ... it cannot come back if it is taken away," she said.
Pointing out that when people lose hope in every other avenue, they go to courts to seek justice, Banerjee urged the new law graduates to uphold the tenets of law and justice.
Maintaining that law enforcing agencies have taken action against alleged corruption and irregularities in various issues, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Bikash Bhattacharya said this cannot be termed as "taking away respect".
"She cannot claim to be slighted for legal actions against corruption," he said.
Bhattacharya, a senior advocate, is representing petitioners in several cases alleging irregularities in appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal government-sponsored and -aided schools, wherein the Calcutta High Court has ordered a CBI investigation.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also probing some of these cases.
West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that an attempt is being made to "indirectly pressurise the judicial system".
"Deprived people are knocking on the doors of the courts to get justice," he told reporters.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that Banerjee has only expressed the views of the general people.
"That court is the final pedestal of confidence is what the chief minister tried to say," he said.
Alleging that the chief minister does not know what democracy is, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said that saffron party workers are being heckled and beaten in different parts of the state.
"People of Bengal are seeing for the last 11-12 years how the democratic system has been hijacked in the state," he said.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
