Jagdeep Dhankar defends move to rescue minister

Kolkata: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar has rebutted state education minister Partha Chatterjee’s allegations on him of keeping the Mamata Banerjee government in dark about his visit to the Jadavpur University after the assault on Union minister Babul Supriyo and fashion designer-turned-BJP leader Agnimitra Paul by a group of students there on Thursday.

Describing the Trinamul secretary general’s claim as “unfortunate” and “factually incorrect,” he informed that he had spoken to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “many times” and also the top officials of her government before his visit to JU.

On Friday, the Raj Bhavan stated, “The Governor and chancellor, Jadavpur University, has expressed his relief that as a result of his visit yesterday to the university, an end to an unwholesome situation was brought about.

His visit was rendered imperative as the vice chancellor and the pro-vice chancellor had left the university while the Union minister Shri Babool Supriyo continued to be detained by the agitating students/persons there.”

It elaborated, “In his capacity as chancellor, being guardian of the students, he took the call so as to connect with the students in the interest of education and institution.

Before his visit to the university, the Governor and chancellor exhausted all possible avenues that could bring an end to the unsavoury spectacle by flagging the issue to the DGP and the chief secretary.”

The Raj Bhavan said, “As a final step before going, the Governor/chancellor took initiative in connecting with the Hon’ble chief minister, West Bengal, and duly apprised her of the grave situation and the consequences it may entail. There were many telephonic interactions between the two.”