'Attempt to spread confusion': Bengal governor takes veiled swipe at TMC over rigged polls claim

NEW DELHI: West Bengal governor R N Ravi on Sunday took a swipe at Trinamool Congress and said that questions are often raised about the credibility of democratic and constitutional institutions when outcomes do not go in someone's favour.Addressing a programme in north Bengal, Ravi said it was common to see institutions being questioned after adverse verdicts or electoral defeats."When a judgment does not go in someone's favour, they say the court is compromised," Ravi said."It is fine when one wins an election, but if they lose, they claim votes were looted," he added, without naming any individual or political party.Ravi said such narratives risk undermining public faith in institutions and creating confusion among citizens."This is an attempt to spread confusion and break the country's confidence," he said.The governor further alleged that efforts to weaken public confidence were being aided by both external and internal forces."Attempts are being made to destroy our self-confidence not only by outsiders but also by our own people," he said.His remarks come amid continuing political debate over the outcome of the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, in which the BJP secured a majority and formed its first government in the state.Following the declaration of results by the Election Commission, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee questioned the verdict, alleging that the outcome was "not a people's mandate but a conspiracy".