Farmers Movement Archive

Centre’s ‘meddling’: Pawar dials Didi for oppn alliance

Kolkata: NCP leader Sharad Pawar on Sunday spoke to chief minister Mamata Banerjee for a larger opposition alliance on the Centre’s “repeated interference” in functioning of states and the on-going farmers’ protests. Pawar, sources said, also expressed his desire to come to Kolkata in January and attend a public meeting with Banerjee. Pawar’s call, interestingly, comes after Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Saturday backed Banerjee’s stance on the IPS transfer issue. DMK president MK Stalin and former Union minister Yashwant Sinha have also lent support to Banerjee on this. Sources said Pawar exchanged his views with the CM on the repeated attacks on the federal structure, especially in opposition-governed states. The former agriculture minister also shared his thoughts on the farmers’ protests and reportedly lauded Banerjee for extending support to the cause. The IPS transfer issue, sources said, also figured in the discussion though there was no formal statement on this. After Pawar’s proposed January visit to Kolkata, there is a possibility that Banerjee may visit Delhi for a public meeting of opposition leaders against the farm laws. After Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, backing Banerjee on the IPS transfer issue, the Punjab CM said on Saturday: “Transferring officers on central deputation without the state government’s permission, as has been done in West Bengal, is another glaring example of diluting the federal structure.” Banerjee has dubbed the Centre’s move to transfer the IPS officers as “a deliberate attempt to encroach upon the state’s jurisdiction and demoralise the serving officers in WB”. “This move, particularly before the elections, is against the basic tenets of federal structure. It's unconstitutional and completely unacceptable,” she said.

The Times of India

2020-12-21

Kolkata