Show us documents proving WB govt invited army: TMC to Centre

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Dec 02 2016 | 10:22 PM IST
Hitting back at BJP for its claim that army presence at toll plazas in West Bengal was routine exercise conducted in full knowledge of local authorities, TMC leader Derek O'Brien today asked the Centre to "show the document" which proves that the state had "invited" or given "permission" for it.
Kolkata Police had in fact written a letter stating that Army should "not be sent" to the state, O'Brein said, adding that he would place that letter before Parliament on Monday.
"The central government should show us a single letter which proves that the West Bengal government had invited army to the state. There is no such letter.
"There is only one letter written by Kolkata Police Additional Commissioner...I will table that letter on Monday morning (in Parliament)...It says that the army should not be sent there. Show us a letter or document which says the army was given permission," he said outside Parliament.
O'Brein claimed he had also spoken to some of the former chief ministers to know if state government's permission was required for army deployment in a state. "They all said, yes".
"Without the permission of the state, the army cannot go in. Where is the letter? I challenge...Show us the letter," he said.
Earlier, the row over Army taking over road toll plazas in West Bengal echoed in Parliament with TMC seeing "sinister" designs behind the move and the government vehemently denying the charge, saying it was a routine exercise conducted in full knowledge of the local authorities.
BJP claimed that Army's presence at toll plazas was an "annual exercise" which was projected in a "wrong way" and charged Banerjee with "stalling" Parliament proceedings by such "diversionary" tactics.
Banerjee, yesterday, decided to stay at the state secretariat 'Nabanna' for the night, even after the force was removed from a toll plaza near it as per her demand.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 02 2016 | 10:22 PM IST

Next Story