Violated model code of conduct; Bengal Governor asks state govt to remove education minister from cabinet

KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has asked the state government to remove Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu from the cabinet for violating the election Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Raj Bhavan accused the minister of deliberately violating the code of conduct. A controversy had erupted in the state after the minister held a meeting with political party leaders at Gour Banga University. This prompted the Governor to ask the government to take action against the minister.

The meeting was held on the university premises on March 30. Several MPs, MLAs and political leaders attended the meeting. The Governor directed the state government to take strict action against the minister in this regard. The Governor, who is also the Chancellor, stated that the action of the minister, who held the meeting on the premises of the institute, had brought the university into disrepute.

Earlier, Ananda Bose had alleged that Bratya Basu was attempting to destroy his relationship with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Governor said that the minister made remarks against him after he approved the four names proposed by the minister for the appointment of vacant VCs in the universities in the state. Bratya Basu had alleged that the Governor was taking an irresponsible approach in connection with the functioning of the state universities.