Mamta Banerjee warns of attempts to introduce presidential form of government

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday warned that the country could be led to presidential form of government by a section of the people, who are seizing democratic powers.

In her address at the convocation of West Bengal National University of Judicial Services (NUJS) Banerjee urged the judiciary and leaders in different fields to "save democracy" and added that if this trend continues, then a day will come when a presidential form of government will be brought in the country.

In an oblique reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she implied that the ruling party was behind the move and said that the judiciary must ensure that the federal structure of the country remains intact.

"All the democratic powers are being seized by a section of people; this might be going on for (bringing in) a presidential form of government " the Chief Minister said. Chief Justice of India, Justice U U Lalit, who is the Chancellor of the university, was present on the occasion.

She claimed that the people were being harassed and were suffering silently behind closed doors. She stated that she firmly believed that the judiciary has to act as their saviour.

She flayed the media for conducting media trials on various matters and for making wild allegations against persons even before the judiciary can deliver its verdict. "Our only prestige is our respect ... it cannot come back if it is taken away," she said.

Pointing out that when people lose hope in every other avenue, they go to courts to seek justice, Banerjee urged the new law graduates to uphold the tenets of law and justice.

West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that an attempt is being made to "indirectly pressurise the judicial system". ​​​​​​​