The Congress on Saturday decried the recall of the West Bengal Chief Secretary by the Centre, alleging it was an "unpardonable" attack on the Constitution and federalism that will create anarchy in the country.
Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the "abrupt, malicious and unilateral" recall of the West Bengal's chief secretary by the Modi Government has shocked the conscience of the entire nation.
This is a double whammy when viewed in light of the fact that the chief secretary was granted an extension for three months by the Modi Government itself as recently as four days ago, he said, and called it a death knell for federalism.
"This is a lethal blow to the Constitution of India, as also Federalism. If the Union Government is permitted to recall the All India Service Officers i.e. IAS and IPS from the states for partisan political considerations and at its whims and fancies, the entire architecture of the rule of law and the Constitution will crumble," Surjewala said in a statement.
He said if the head of bureaucracy in a state is summarily removed by the Union Government, why would any IAS or IPS officer, whether a district magistrate or a secretary or a police officer, listen to and follow the orders of state government or implement any policy or programme devised by the state government.
"This would lead to complete and total anarchy in the country," he alleged.