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News Desk: In a sudden turn of events, West Bengal chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay retired on Monday afternoon only to be appointed as the Chief Advisor of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. As per the new order, Bandyopadhyay will take on the new role from June 1 for a period of three years. State Home Secretary HK Dwivedi was appointed as the new West Bengal Chief Secretary while state Additional Chief Secretary B P Gopalika took over as the new home secretary.
But that may not protect him from the Centre. According to central government sources, he will face a charge-sheet and action for defying orders.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday made it clear to PM Modi in a letter that the state government is not releasing Bandopadhyay. She said “This is vendetta. I have never seen such cruel behavior. Just because they want to attack the Chief Minister, they attack the Chief Secretary. You have added insult to injury. There is no consultation. Why? Because you lost? Because you don’t like Mamata Banerjee. The Centre may not be aware that he has superannuated and his services are not available for the Centre. I have decided we need his service for the Covid pandemic. For Covid and for Cyclone Yaas, he must continue his service to the poor, the state, the country, the affected people…”
Accusing PM Modi of treating bureaucrats like bonded labourers, she said “If a bureaucrat is insulted after he has dedicated his life to his work, what message is the government and PM sending out? There are many Bengali cadre officers at the Centre. Can I recall them without consultation, Mr Prime Minister? Mr Busy Prime Minister? Mr Mann-ki-baat Prime Minister?”
“You want to scare the bureaucracy. We are not scared. I am not scared of you. Those who are afraid crumble. We fight and we win” she added.
