Kolkata: West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee revoked Thursday the suspension of seven BJP MLAs, including that of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The decision came after Biman Banerjee took into consideration separate motions filed by two saffron camp legislators.
As the second half of the Assembly session began, the Banerjee asked BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul to read out the last two lines of the motion requesting withdrawal of the suspension order against Adhikari and four other MLAs – Manoj Tigga, Narahari Mahato, Shankar Ghosh and Dipak Barman.
Paul stressed that the Leader of Opposition should not be barred from attending the proceedings.
Banerjee then consulted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee, who also spoke in favour of the suspension withdrawal.
Sikha Chatterjee, another BJP legislator, then read out the second motion in the House, seeking revocation of a similar order against MLAs Mihir Goswami and Sudip Mukhopadhyay.
The speaker subsequently agreed to withdraw suspension of all seven MLAs.
Clashes had broken out in the Assembly March 28 between the legislators of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP. After that Banerjee had suspended Adhikari and the four other MLAs.
The legislators, led by Adhikari, moved the Calcutta High Court in April on the issue of suspension. The court had ruled that the matter can be settled in the House.
Earlier in March, Goswami and Mukhopadhyay were suspended over their conduct during Governor’s address in the House.
Withdrawing the suspension order, Banerjee said, “You had moved the court which left it to the Assembly to find a resolution. Any remedy should be available within the House.”
Banerjee had Tuesday rejected the first motion moved by the BJP for the same, citing technical flaws.
Chatterjee, on his part, said the Opposition should get perform its role in the House. He pointed out that everyone should have a fair idea about the rules of Assembly.
“I don’t want to create bitterness. Let us all take the House to greater glory. Assembly is for everyone – both ruling and opposition members,” Chatterjee said.
