New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday termed the withdrawal of West Bengal Chief Secretary Alpan Bandyopadhyay by the Central government as an attack on democracy and cooperative federalism, saying such a move would create chaos. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also asked why it was decided to recall Bandyopadhyay four days after giving him a three-month extension of service.

"The malicious and arbitrary recall of the Chief Secretary of West Bengal by the Modi government has stunned the consciousness of the entire country," he said in a statement that 'It is even more serious that four days ago it was the Modi government that extended the chief secretary three months in service'. Surjewala alleged that the Centre's move was an attack on democracy and cooperative federalism and such a move would create chaos in the country.

Surjewala further said, "This is a severe attack on the constitution and cooperative federalism of the country. If the Central Government is allowed to recall All India Service officers from various states on party lines, the entire structure of law and order and the Constitution will be demolished". Surjewala questioned, "Will PM Modi and the Personnel and Training Department disclose what led to the chief secretary being recalled only after four days of extending the service?" Surjewala claimed that the central government's steps seems that it wants to oust the recently elected Trinamool Congress government.

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