Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns after nearly 3 years: A look back at his explosive face-offs with Mamata Banerjee as Bengal Governor

Time of India

4 days ago

Before stepping down as Vice President citing health reasons, Jagdeep Dhankhar made headlines during his three-year stint as West Bengal Governor largely due to a highly publicised and persistent feud with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. While Dhankhar urged political harmony shortly before his resignation, his earlier tenure was marked by one of the most visible Governor-Chief Minister confrontations in recent Indian politics.
Social media clashes and a blocked handle
Tensions between Dhankhar and Banerjee escalated publicly when the Chief Minister blocked the Governor on Twitter. Dhankhar responded with a series of tweets criticising the state government's conduct. The editorial in the TMC's mouthpiece Jago Bangla, titled 'Ter Paben' (He Will Face the Consequence), reflected that the standoff was far from over. Dhankhar had actively used his official Twitter handle since assuming office in July 2019 to comment on various state matters, especially targeting the ruling TMC government.
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Letters, accusations, and constitutional sparring
The strained relationship reached a critical point in November 2019 when both leaders exchanged official letters. Mamata Banerjee accused the Governor of provoking unrest and overstepping constitutional boundaries. Dhankhar countered, stating he had faced 'indignities' and verbal attacks from ministers. Banerjee urged the Governor to help maintain peace instead of 'aggravating' the situation through press briefings and tweets. The correspondence highlighted the power tussle between Raj Bhavan and Nabanna.
Administrative deadlocks and the call for removal
Banerjee had long called for Dhankhar's removal, citing difficulties caused by him in routine administrative functions—be it delayed file clearances or repeated summoning of top bureaucrats. The Chief Minister alleged that these actions were aimed at undermining her authority. Despite these tensions, Dhankhar was elevated to the Vice President's office in 2022, ending his truncated three-year governorship that typically spans five years.
Political interpretation and the central government's role
TMC saw Dhankhar's transfer to Delhi as a partial victory, although some leaders felt retaining him till the next assembly elections could have been politically useful to showcase BJP's alleged constitutional overreach. The central government, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah, reportedly informed Banerjee about Dhankhar's nomination without prior consultation—a move that the TMC criticised for bypassing established democratic protocols.
A new political chapter, but lingering questions
Hon'ble Vice-President & Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar paid tributes in the House today to former Members of Rajya Sabha:Shri C. PerumalDr. K. KasturiranganShri Ronald Sapa TlauShri Nepaldev BhattacharjeeSardar Sukhdev Singh DhindsaShri Thennala G.… pic.twitter.com/NUOKsJgMEw
While Dhankhar has since engaged with opposition forces as Vice President, the unresolved friction with the Bengal government remains a case study in Centre-state relations. TMC's decision on whether to support his nomination reportedly hinged on Mamata Banerjee's strategy following her annual July 21 Shaheed Divas rally. Ultimately, Dhankhar's nomination sailed through without a strong opposition challenge.
Jagdeep Dhankhar's years in West Bengal redefined the visibility and voice of a Governor in India's political structure moving from a ceremonial role to an outspoken participant in governance. His feud with Mamata Banerjee was not just personal or political—it became emblematic of deeper federal tensions.