Speaker’s prerogative, says Mamata Banerjee as 5 BJP MLAs suspended for assembly ruckus
India Today
Mamata Banerjee dodged questions about the fracas in the Bengal assembly on Monday, which saw the suspension of five BJP MLAs after they allegedly clashed with Trinamool Congress legislators.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee washed her hands off the fracas in the state assembly on Monday, which culminated with the suspension of five BJP MLAs after they allegedly clashed with Trinamool Congress legislators.
“I don't know anything. You can ask the Speaker. It is his prerogative,” said Mamata Banerjee.
Pandemonium broke out in the West Bengal assembly earlier in the day as animosity between TMC and BJP legislators over the Birbhum killings spawned violence. MLAs complained of being manhandled. A few were reportedly taken to the hospital in the wake of the scuffle.
BJP legislators Dipak Burman, Shankar Ghosh, Manoj Tigga, Narahari Mahato, and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari were suspended by the Speaker for the entire session till the House is prorogued.
A fuming Adhikari said MLAs are not far from safe inside the state assembly. “At least 8-10 of our legislators including Chief Whip Manoj Tigga, were beaten up by some TMC MLAs, as we demanded that the CM make a statement in the House on the law and order issue,” he alleged.
READ | Denying discussions on Rampurhat violence 'undemocratic', says Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar
Countering the allegation, senior TMC leader and minister Firhad Hakim claimed that the BJP was sensationalising the Birbhum incident to create chaos in the assembly. "A few of our MLAs were injured inside the House. We condemn the conduct of the BJP," he said.
