Synopsis
The CPI-M opposition in Tripura Assembly has decided to boycott the remaining Budget session days due to perceived partisan behavior from Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen. This follows a tumultuous session marked by protests against comments directed at Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, raising concerns over democratic integrity.Key Takeaways
- Opposition CPI-M announced a boycott of the Budget session.
- Protests arose over alleged racist remarks against LoP Jitendra Chaudhury.
- Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen accused of partiality.
- Privilege motions debated amid turmoil in the Assembly.
- Concerns raised about decorum and democratic traditions.
Agartala, March 26 (NationPress) The opposition CPI-M declared on Wednesday their intention to boycott the remaining sessions of the ongoing Budget discussion in the Tripura Assembly, protesting against Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen's partisan behavior.
The Assembly faced chaos for the second consecutive day as CPI-M members walked out of the House in response to racist comments directed at Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath.
The LoP had filed a privilege motion against Minister Nath on Tuesday, which was dismissed by the Speaker on Wednesday. The Speaker justified this by stating that a privilege motion concerning CPI-M's publication 'Daily Desher Kath' had been accepted, and as per rules, two privilege motions cannot be processed in a single day.
The motion against 'Daily Desher Kath' was initiated by Minister Nath.
During Zero Hour, when the Speaker announced the rejection of the privilege motion submitted by the LoP against Minister Nath, CPI-M members protested, resulting in turmoil in the House.
Legislators from CPI-M rushed to the Well of the House, continuing their protest against the Speaker's ruling. Following a vocal protest, they exited the House for the day.
Subsequently, the LoP informed the media of their decision to boycott the remaining days of the Assembly's Budget session, which is set to conclude on April 1.
"The Assembly Speaker is breaching traditions, decorum, and the democratic ethos, taking a biased stance. He operates as a member of the treasury bench, neglecting his impartiality as Speaker. The Speaker governs the House under the direct orders of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister," Chaudhury, a former minister and CPI-M state Secretary, alleged.
The LoP, along with other Left legislators, accused the Speaker of unethically and illegally dismissing his privilege motion against Minister Nath while accepting the latter's motion, despite Chaudhury having submitted his first in accordance with House norms.
Chaudhury stated: "Whenever an opposition member raises issues or allegations of corruption against the government or any ruling party leader/minister, their microphone is turned off while ruling party members and ministers disrupt the discourse, and the Speaker remains mute."
The Tripura Assembly experienced similar chaos on Tuesday, where CPI-M members staged a walkout in response to the racist remarks made against LoP Chaudhury, who is also a prominent tribal leader in the state.
Both the Speaker and Minister Nath refuted such allegations, with Nath asserting he had no intention to offend the opposition leader's tribe or community, intending only to address the mindset of the CPI-M party.
