Adhir Ranjan writes to President, urges him to invoke Article 355 in Bengal

On Wednesday leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind to impose Article 355 of the Constitution in the Trinamool Congress-ruled West Bengal.

Citing the Birbhum incident where Deputy Pradhan Bhadu Sheikh was killed and a few hours later houses in the area were set on fire resulting in 8 deaths including that of women and children, he alleged that the law and order situation in West Bengal has completely broken down. He expressed concern over political murders taking place in the state.

“The law and order situation in West Bengal has completely broken down. It is very sad to note that during last month itself there were 26 political murders in West Bengal. The poll violence and post poll violence has claimed many lives,” Adhir wrote in the letter.

The law and order situation in Bengal has completely broken down, said Adhir.

He urged President to invoke Article 355 of the Constitution.

“In view of the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal, I request you to invoke Article 355 of the Constitution to ensure that the Government of West Bengal is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” he wrote.

Article 355 in the Constitution states that “It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”