West Bengal Governor Dhankhar prorogues Assembly from February 12

Following the same, the state government must seek permission from the Governor to begin the next session of the Assembly, which must begin with a speech by the Governor.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday prorogued the state Legislative Assembly with effect from February 12, exercising power conferred on him by Article 174 of the Constitution.

“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sub-clause (a) of clause (2) of Article 174 of the Constitution, I, Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of the State of West Bengal, hereby prorogue the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from 12 February, 2022,” Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar tweeted.

Prorogation means to discontinue a session of the Parliament or a legislative assembly without dissolving it. 

Following the same, the state government must seek permission from the Governor to begin the next session of the Assembly, which must begin with a speech by the Governor. 

Due to the ongoing civic election in the state, the Budget session of the Assembly was planned to begin either in February or March. 

It was considered that All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) would be bringing a motion against West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar during the upcoming session, accusing him of interfering with the state government's day-to-day activities. 

Responding to the Governor's move, TMC MP Saugata Roy said the move is unprecedented. Governor has overstepped his constitutional duties, as there should be a gap of six months between two sessions of the state Assembly. Roy added until now; no Governor has ever done this. Previously, the Governor denied giving his consent to several bills, and now he has prorogued the Assembly. Roy further said this is unjust. The state government should file a legal challenge.

In defence, the Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sukanta Majumdar said the Governor holds power, and he has exercised it. Majumdar added that the move results from the state government's misrule and the administration's persistent defiance. 

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray had submitted a Substantive Motion under Rule 170 in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, urging President Ram Nath Kovind to remove West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The longest feud between the state government and the Raj Bhawan reached a flashpoint recently when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blocked the Governor on Twitter for allegedly tagging her in all of his posts, criticizing her administration. The Governor has been pursuing the state government on various issues, including information and reports on appointments to various positions.