West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for a United Nations-monitored referendum on the new citizenship law. Her remarks have sparked a row, with many of her critics saying that the TMC supremo wants India to surrender her sovereignty - all for her vote bank politics.

Jagdeep Dhankar, the Governor of West Bengal, has reacted to her comments and said that he is saddened that the Chief Minister has "taken to totally unacceptable unconstitutional route by her public stance of seeking outside intervention in our internal matters and ignored my appeal."

He further said, "This has immeasurably caused damage to our democratic fabric. In the name of our Founding Fathers, I fervently appeal to her to act as per her oath and regretfully withdraw her statement. As a senior leader and constitutional functionary, she cannot be oblivious to the potentially dangerous consequences of such an approach."

The BJP has firmly opposed Mamata's demand. P Muralidhar Rao, the General Secretary of the BJP, said, "Mamata Didi...You are completely on the wrong side. The UN has no locus standi to get into this kind of business. Indians will not support such demands."

BJP leader Baijayant Jay Panda wrote, "This crosses a major line. Asking the UN to conduct an internal referendum in India is EXACTLY the script Pakistan has followed since it broke away from us and kept trying to further split India. Mamata Didi, show trust in Indian democracy and stop relying on foreign players!"