Bengal TMC tight-lipped over Jagdeep Dhakhar's VP nomination while BJP leaders hail the decision

“TMC is not giving any reaction on the issue right now. Our party chairperson Mamata Banerjee will convene a meeting of all party MPs. She will give a reaction after that meeting,” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

TMC MP Shantanu Sen told the newspaper that the party was busy with its martyrs' day anniversary rally to be held on July 21, and after that party chief Mamata Banerjee would give a reaction following a decision on the Vice-Presidential election in the all-party meeting.

BJP is the main opposition party in West Bengal, having won 77 seats in the 2021 assembly elections.

Since his appointment as the governor of West Bengal by the BJP-led Centre in 2011, he has been a strong critic of Mamata Banerjee's government over a range of issues, frequently slamming her on social media platforms. The TMC government, too, snubbed Dhankhar as often as possible and complained about Dhankar's "interference" in state's administration.

Soon after the announcement of Dhankhar's nomination, BJP leaders hailed the party's decision and took to social media to congratulate him.

Soon after the BJP’s national president JP Nadda announced Dhankhar’s candidature, describing him as a “kisan putra” (son of farmer) who established himself as “people’s governor”, senior Bengal party leader Dilip Ghosh wrote on Facebook: “Congratulations and best wishes to the Governor of West Bengal, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is the nominated Vice-Presidential candidate of the BJP and partner parties. His knowledge, mind, brave attitude and protest against the tyranny of the ruling party in the state is undeniable. People’s Governor – Sriman Jagdeep Dhankar.”

State BJP chief Sukanta Majumder tweeted, “Congratulations to Hon’ble Governor Shri @jdhankhar1 ji on being declared as candidate of Vice President of India. His vast experience & deep knowledge will help him serve the nation better and make it an excellent choice for the post. I wish him best.”

Bengal BJP general secretary Jagannath Chattopadhyay stated: “In last three years Jagdeep Dhankhar exposed misrule in Bengal. Right from broken law & order to poor governance, Dhankhar reflected his views on issues through the prism of constitutional good practices. At present he is the tallest Jat Leader of the country. My sincere thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Nadda. Definitely, we the members of Opposition political parties will miss him in Bengal, but country will be benefited.”

In his reaction, Bengal Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said, “We do not know whether Dhankhar is the son of a farmer or not but he is a renowned advocate and highly-educated. But, it is a political fight and our party will take the decision accordingly.”

The CPI(M) Central Committee’s member Sujan Chakraborty said, “We can understand why Dhankhar did that meeting with Mamata Banerjee and Himanta Biswa Sarma (in Darjeeling). It is now clear like daylight. Now question is the way Dhankhar helped BJP here in West Bengal, he should be given more respect. I think he was humiliated.”

Last Wednesday, Chief Minister Banerjee met Governor Dhankhar and Assam chief minister Sarma at the Darjeeling Raj Bhawan.

After their one-hour-long meeting, Banerjee claimed it was a “purely courtesy visit” and that “We did not have any discussion on political issues”.