KOLKATA – West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose delivered a stark warning on Wednesday, likening the rampant violence and unchecked corruption in the state’s politics to a deadly cancer spreading uncontrollably.
Speaking to reporters after attending the convocation ceremony at a private university in North 24 Parganas district, Bose painted a grim picture of the current political landscape. ‘Two problems in West Bengal’s politics have grown like cancer in unprecedented ways – one is violence, and the other is rampant corruption,’ he stated emphatically.
The Governor emphasized collective efforts to build a violence-free and corruption-free Bengal. ‘We are all working together without sparing any effort to achieve this goal,’ he added, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In a positive note, Bose welcomed the Centre’s new guidelines on the official protocol for singing ‘Vande Mataram.’ Describing it as more than just a national song, he said it reflects the soul of Indian society and symbolizes the freedom of people to express themselves without fear.
However, he refrained from commenting on the Supreme Court’s recent dismissal of the West Bengal government’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s order allowing the NIA to probe violence in Murshidabad’s Beldanga. ‘This is purely a judicial matter, and as Governor, I do not wish to comment,’ he said prudently.
Bose expressed strong support for the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal. ‘SIR is the right step towards ensuring free and fair elections in India,’ he affirmed, highlighting its importance for democratic integrity.
The Governor’s candid remarks come amid ongoing concerns over law and order in the state, where political violence has frequently made headlines. His metaphor of cancer resonates deeply, signaling a call to action for all stakeholders to address these deep-rooted issues before they metastasize further.