Left mocks Mamata for ignorance of constitution

Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra blamed the Trinamool Congress chief for relentless attack on state election commissioner Mira Pande

The opposition Left Front on Wednesday ridiculed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she rued her inability to remove State Election Commissioner Mira Pande because the ruling Trinamool Congress doesn't command two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

Leader of Opposition and Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Surjya Kanta Mishra mocked Banerjee's "ignorance of constitutional laws" as a state election commissioner can only be removed through impeachment in Parliament.

"It is unfortunate that the chief minister, who swears by the constitution, is ignorant about its provisions. By making such ignorant comments, she is embarrassing herself and the state," Mishra told reporters here.

"She must realise that the assembly has nothing to do with the commissioner's removal. Much like the chief election commissioner of India, a state election commissioner can only be impeached in parliament," said Mishra.

Relations between the Trinamool government and the SEC have nosedived over the past three months over a plethora of issues concerning the panchayat polls.

With the five-phase rural governing body elections beginning July 11 slated to be held during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the ruling party led by Banerjee has been attacking the SEC and its chief Mira Pande.

Speaking at a party rally in Lalgarh in West Midnapore district Monday, Banerjee said: "Her (Pande's) term was extended from three to six years during the previous Left Front regime. Had we got two-third majority in the assembly, we would have definitely removed her."

Mishra also blamed the Trinamool Congress chief for the relentless attack on Pande.

"Courtiers only follow what kings say. It is unfortunate that she (Banerjee) has been relentless in her attack against a constitutional body and its head," Mishra said.