Showing Gandhigiri, West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi went without light on Wednesday, after deciding to have voluntary power cuts at Raj Bhavan, triggering a spat with the Communist Party of India Marxist, which felt the gubernatorial post should be abolished.
The action of Mahatma Gandhi's grandson came as an embarrassment to the Left government, with whom he had a run in last year, on its handling of the Nandigram issue. The governor announced on Tuesday that the premises would go without power for two hours daily from today, to show solidarity with Kolkattans, who are reeling under power cuts.
"What is the necessity of the post of governor in this federal system? After 60 years of Independence, the time has come to think about the necessity of the post," state secretary of CPI-M Biman Bose told a press conference in West Midnapore district.
"Why is he staying in a palatial building? A large number of people in West Bengal are living without shelter. He should move to a smaller building or a flat," Bose said of the Governor's action.
Bose, however, said if the Governor's post is to be retained it should be an elected one, as in the United States.
The Governor sat in his office from 6 pm to 7 pm in total darkness, as people gathered on the brightly lit road outside to view the unprecedented scene, as lights went off in the marble and throne rooms and the Durbar Hall. Power was earlier switched off from 1:30 pm.
State Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee said, "If a person chooses to have a single meal because of food crisis, what can we do?"
