Guwahati: The West Bengal government on Monday approved the appointment of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as Chancellor of all state-run universities under various departments including as health, agriculture, animal husbandry, and minority affairs, replacing Governor Jagdeep Dhankar.
The decision was taken following Cabinet meeting today.
However, the TMC’s majority in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly will require it to be enacted again.
The move is thought to be the outcome of a rift between Mamata Banerjee and Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The Governor is currently the Chancellor of all State Universities.
According to the governor’s official website, Dhankar is the ex-officio chancellor of 17 universities in Bengal.
On May 26, the West Bengal Cabinet approved the introduction of a bill that would replace the governor as chancellor of all state-run universities with the chief minister.
Meanwhile, the BJP slammed the plan, calling it an “assault on federalism” and “another attempt to dodge accountability and transparency.”
Notably, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday.