Guwahati: Reiterating his demand for Assam Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya's removal, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said the incumbent "does not know how to maintain his dignity" as the Constitutional head.
Acharya's reported statement that "Hindustan is only for Hindus" and his subsequent clarification saying Indian Muslims are "free to go Pakistan" exposes his communal mindset as well as of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, Gogoi said.
"He (Acharya) does not know how to maintain his dignity. Governor's office is a very prestigious office. I have worked with Governors appointed during earlier NDA regime also, but never saw such a person. They all worked with dignity," Gogoi told reporters here.
"Appointment of such persons as Governor and such statements will disintegrate the country and affect the unity. He is playing divisive politics," he added.
The Chief Minister also attacked Acharya by saying that the way he is functioning, it is contradictory to Modi's claim of 'Team India' spirit and federalism.
"He (Acharya) is just an acting Governor. No permanent Governor has been appointed so far for a long time. He is just behaving like an RSS Pracharak. He should not be appointed in an important state like Assam.
"He should be removed immediately...You (Centre) appoint anyone who can hold the dignity of the post," Gogoi said.
Yesterday, Gogoi had demanded that the Centre should appoint a 'permanent' Governor for the state by replacing Acharya, who is holding additional charge along with Nagaland.
Talking about Bihar polls and subsequent change in guard at BJP's Assam unit, he said it is a clear indication that the party is "losing its ground" in the state going for Assembly polls next year.
"BJP will be defeated in Assam. I will defeat them. They are trying to divide everyone. They are taking people from Congress, AGP, extremists, surrendered militants and many other groups. They are scared, so they are behaving like this," Gogoi said.
