Trinamool exposes its grouse against Ganguly: Adhir Ranjan

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Saturday said the Trinamool Congress had an axe to grind against West Bengal rights panel chief A.K. Ganguly, found guilty by a Supreme Court panel of "unwelcome behaviour".

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the state's ruling party was using the accusations made against Ganguly by a law intern as an occasion to get even with him.

Chowdhury, however, insisted that on moral grounds, Ganguly must resign as the chief of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission.

Former Supreme Court judge A.K. Ganguly, as chief of the state's rights panel, has made several recommendations against the Mamata Banerjee government.

"Considering the ramifications, Ganguly should step down on moral grounds. But the mannerism of the Trinamool reflects its grouse against Ganguly," Chowdhury, also union minister of state for railways, told reporters here.

"Ganguly through his recommendations has tarnished her (Banerjee) and revealed the dirty tricks of the state government. Therefore they have not spared a moment to take a blow against him," he said.

Ever since allegations that Ganguly sexually harassed a female law intern surfaced, the Trinamool has been baying for Ganguly's resignation.

The party upped its ante after Ganguly was indicted by a three-member committee of sitting judges of the Supreme Court probing the charges of sexual harassment.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already sent two consecutive letters urging President Pranab Mukherjee to initiate urgent appropriate action facilitating Ganguly's removal from the panel.

"It does not befit the chief minister to ask for his resignation from the president. The legal process concerning the allegations has been initiated, and it will take its own course," he said.

The Banerjee regime and Ganguly do not share cordial relations. While the rights panel has made several recommendations against it, the state government has often refused to comply.

Ganguly has also openly criticised the government over several issues.