Kolkata, (Samajweekly) Former West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday submitted his resignation from the state Assembly, and sought intervention of Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar so that the state government does not implicate him and his associates in criminal cases out of political vendetta.
“I am constrained to seek your intervention as the Constitutional head so that police and administration apparatus in the state is dissuaded in implicating me and associates in criminal cases out of political motivation and vendetta,” Adhikari wrote in a letter to Dhankhar.
The Governor shared the letter on social media, saying that the former minister has, by way of representation, sought his intervention.
“Taking expected steps,” Dhankhar assured on Twitter.
Adhikari, the ex-Nandigram lawmaker, said that he has been in the public life for the last 25 years with the prime focus being in service of the people.
“Dictated by the sense of duty and public welfare I quit the ministry… unleashing police repression by implication in criminal cases on political considerations is certainly an alarming indicator of governance away from rule of law. Such sinister moves are antithetical to Constitution,” he said.
Adhikari said that political bonhomie with the ruling party or dispensation cannot be an essential requisite for enjoying liberty and human rights, as is the situation presently.
“Kind intervention of your Excellency as the Constitutional head is earnestly solicited,” the rebel Trinamool Congress legislator said.
Adhikari formally resigned as legislator on Wednesday evening. He went to the Assembly building here and submitted a hand-written letter at the secretariat as Speaker Biman Banerjee was not present in his office.
BJP national General Secretary and state in charge Kailash Vijayvargiya and national Vice President Mukul Roy welcomed his resignation as legislator, and evinced interest in inducting him into the BJP if he wishes to join.
On the other hand, veteran Trinamool MP Saugata Roy said that Adhikari’s move was quite expected.
According to insiders, Adhikari is likely to join the BJP during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposed visit to Bengal this weekend. Adhikari may also travel to Delhi for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi before December 19.
