Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee’s explosive allegation that guns and bombs were being stockpiled inside Raj Bhavan, accusing Governor CV Anand Bose of sheltering “BJP criminals” and facilitating attacks on TMC workers prompted Raj Bhavan to issue an unprecedented response.
In a late-night statement on Saturday, it announced that 100 individuals — including MPs, civil society members and journalists — would be allowed entry to inspect the premises themselves. The gates of Raj Bhavan were opened as early as 5 am on Sunday, marking what officials described as an “open visit” to verify the MP’s claims.
“Raj Bhavan is open for the MP and members of the civil society and the journalists not exceeding 100 in numbers to visit Raj Bhavan immediately on (Sunday) morning from 5 am onwards and verify if any arms and ammunition are stocked as alleged by MP,” the statement said.
The Raj Bhavan also added if he allegation are found to be untrue the “MP has the decent option to apologise to the people of Bengal and face prosecution for hate speech”.
The controversy emerged soon after the Bihar election results, during which Governor Bose described the SIR process as “effective and timely”, adding that Bengal voters too would welcome such a system. Banerjee, reacting sharply, accused the Governor of acting as a “servant of BJP” and claimed that weapons were being supplied from Raj Bhavan to attack TMC workers.
The situation has also raised questions regarding security protocol. If weapons were indeed stored inside Raj Bhavan, responsibility would fall directly on the Kolkata Police, who are in charge of its security. “How could ammunition enter such a high-security zone? Was permission given, or is this a fabricated claim?” a Raj Bhavan official asked.
Tensions between the state government and Raj Bhavan have been simmering for years, but the current confrontation marks a new peak. Raj Bhavan has maintained that the allegations are “extremely serious” and must either be proven or withdrawn.
Also read: BJP targets Bengal after Bihar poll results; TMC claps back
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