But what beggars the imagination is a popular hypothesis that it’s not just BJP leaders clamouring for Art. 356; the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) may even be willing such an eventuality in the hope of garnering sympathy. A clutch of ruling party MLAs, unwilling to be identified for reasons all too obvious, confided that the lumpen elements in the party were out of control and that the imposition of President’s rule may be inevitable. “There’s a certain laxity among a section of the police, which is why the hooligans are running amok. Even the chief minister has no control over them…we are playing into the BJP’s hands,” says a minister in the state cabinet.
Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar’s been zealous in flagging the “violence against BJP workers”, but the party itself appears divided on the wisdom of demanding President’s rule. Nadda maintained, even after the attack on his convoy, that “the central leadership does not want President’s rule”, but Bengal unit leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, Mukul Roy, Babul Supriyo and others were crying themselves hoarse demanding central action. “We have lost 136 people since 2015. I personally feel Art. 356 must be imposed immediately if we have to restore democracy in the state,” says Roy. Vijayvargiya feels the “immediate deployment of central forces” is the only way election canvassing can continue without fear. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, December 15, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too upped the ante daring the Centre to impose President’s rule, even suggesting that the attack on Nadda’s convoy was the handiwork of the “criminals accompanying him”.
This story is from the December 28, 2020 edition of India Today.
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This story is from the December 28, 2020 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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