Mamata writes to Modi appealing to undo recalling of Bengal CS Alapan Bandyopadhyay

In a five-page letter, Banerjee spoke about federalism calling the decision of recall "unilateral", "undemocratic" and "unconstitutional". 

Banerjee has also asked the Prime Minister whether the recall order has any link to the Kalaikunda row. 

"The government of Bengal cannot release, and is not releasing, its Chief Secretary at this critical hour, on the basis of our understanding that the earlier order of extension, issued after lawful consultation in accordance with applicable laws, remains operational and valid," she wrote in the letter. 

Within hours after Banerjee and the CS skipped Modi's cyclone Yaas review meeting on Friday at Kalaikunda in West Bengal, Bandyopadhyay was asked to report to the Department of Personnel and Training, North Block, New Delhi by 10 am on Monday.

The Centre had asked the state government to release Bandyopadhyay, whose tenure was extended by the Centre as per the State's request just days ago, from the charge.

However, the Chief Secretary has no plans to fly to Delhi as of now and instead he is scheduled to attend the Chief Minister's meeting on cyclone Yaas at state secretariat Nabanna at 3pm on Monday.

The state government did not release Bandyopadhyay, whose tenure was sought by the state government to be extended for the handling of COVID-19 pandemic.

Accusing the Narendra Modi government of playing "vendetta politics", Banerjee at a press conference on Friday said, "Have you (anyone) seen this type of incident in 74 years (since Independence)? You (the Prime Minister) are not only disturbing me but also my state secretariat, Chief Secretary."

Banerjee had appealed to the Prime Minister to withdraw the recall order and also hinted at a courtroom battle saying, "We are now only appealing. They have also filed a caveat in the court. We haven't gone to court first."

She had also accused Modi of recalling the Chief Secretary since he is a Bengali person.

"Why are you so angry with Bengal. My Chief Secretary is a Bengali. Earlier it was Rajiva Sinha. I am not doing Bengali-Non-Bengali but it is what it is," she had thundered.

Bandyopadhyay's recall has left the civil servant fraternity in shock as several former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers have come down heavily on the Centre.

Former state chief secretary Ardhendu Sen said as quoted by The Indian Express, “The state government is busy dealing with the pandemic and the aftermath of a natural disaster. Given the situation, how could the central government issue a transfer order to the chief secretary?

"This will definitely hinder the functioning of the state administration. We expect the central government to help out the state at a time like this. Though the Centre has the jurisdiction (to recall the chief secretary), there is no doubt that the instructions issued by the Union government at this time are absolutely undesirable."

Former IAS officer Jawhar Sircar had tweeted, "Have Modi Shah gone crazy? Just 1 working day left for West Bengal’s Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyaya to retire — they have transferred him to Delhi! CM wanted 3 months extra. It’s deliberate sabotage of Cyclone Relief, Covid Control + Revenge for 48% Bengal vote against BJP."

Banerjee, who has emerged as a popular anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) face following her thumping win in the state polls this year, has garnered support from other opposition parties over the entire row.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, "Modi Govt’s Malicious Recall of Bengal Chief Secretary is death knell for Federalism. Union Govt’s Lethal Assault on Democracy will create Anarchy in the Country!!"

In the same tune, Congress senior leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, " Independent India hasn’t seen a PM and HM with bigger egos and smaller minds. This move in the middle of a pandemic and the aftermath of a devastating cyclone, shows how they are still licking their Bengal wounds post elections. Pathetic!"

Slamming the Modi government, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, tweeted, "This is not the time to fight with the state governments, but to fight Corona together with everyone. This is the time to help the state governments, to provide them with vaccines, to work with all the state governments as a Team India. The entire life is left to fight and do politics."