7/28/2019 Prakash Karat Letter to Pranab Mukherjee

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Dear Shri Pranab Mukherjee,

I am writing to you regarding the statement issued by the Governor of West Bengal, Shri M. K.

Narayanan on April 10, 2013 regarding the incident outside the Planning Commission of India

involving the Chief Minister and Finance Minister of West Bengal.

On the occasion of the Chief Minister of West Bengal visiting the Planning Commission on April 9,

there was a demonstration organised by a number of organisations, including the CPI(M), to protest

against the attitude of the West Bengal government towards the custodial death of SFI leader

Sudipto Gupta in Kolkata. In the course of this peaceful demonstration in the presence of the police,

an untoward incident occurred with the Finance Minister Amit Mitra. As soon as this happened, the

CPI(M) and the organizers disapproved of this conduct and condemned it. The Polit Bureau of our

Party also announced that it will look into how this happened.

But unfortunately, the West Bengal Governor issued a statement which is unwarranted and does not

behove the post of the Governor of a state. One can understand the Governor condemning the

incident. But Shri Narayanan has gone much beyond that and called it a "shocking pre-meditatedassault on the Chief Minister, the Finance Minister and other senior ministers of West Bengal". He

has gone further to state that, "This kind of attack is unprecedented in India's modern history" and

declared that "Those responsible for the attack and their instigators have forfeited their right to

function within a democratic framework". He has also demanded a "public apology by the Politburo

of the CPI(Marxist)".

The full text of the statement is attached for your perusal.

How is it that Shri Narayanan sitting in Raj Bhawan in Kolkata has come to the unfounded and totally

baseless conclusion that there was a pre-meditated assault on the Chief Minister, the Finance

Minister and others? In fact, the entire visual media showed how the Chief Minister entered and leftthe Yojana Bhawan without any hindrance. It is highly improper for the Governor of a state, who

holds a Constitutional post, to declare that a political party or leaders have "forfeited their right to

function within a democratic framework".

All over the state of West Bengal, there are widespread attacks going on against the CPI(M) and the

Left Parties offices, leaders and cadres. The Governor's statement has only encouraged these

elements.

As President of India, it is for you to decide whether such political interventions by the Governor are

justified.

I hope you will study the statement and advise the Governor, who is your representative,

accordingly.

With regards,

Yours sincerely

Sd/-

(Prakash Karat)

General Secretary