Will Partha Chatterjee Receive Special Treatment During Bengal Assembly Session?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- No special treatment for Partha Chatterjee in Assembly.
- Seating arrangement will be between treasury and opposition.
- Cannot access a separate ministerial room.
- Will participate as an Independent legislator.
- Time will be allotted for his input during sessions.
Kolkata, Nov 13 (NationPress) No special treatment will be afforded to Partha Chatterjee, who previously enjoyed privileges as the West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General, if he attends the upcoming winter session of the Assembly later this month.
The seating arrangement for him will not be on either the treasury bench or the opposition bench. Sources within the state Assembly indicated that since he was suspended from the party following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to the school-job scandal in July 2022, his status will now be that of an Independent legislator.
As a result, he will be assigned a seat positioned between the treasury and opposition benches.
Additively, he will not have access to a separate room in the Assembly premises, which was previously designated for him as the state education minister.
“He is no longer a minister, and therefore will not receive a separate room within the Assembly. He will attend the session as any other MLA and will receive the same facilities. His new seating arrangement will be finalized before the winter session,” stated the Speaker of the House, Biman Bandopadhyay.
He also confirmed that should Chatterjee wish to engage in discussions during the session, he will be allocated time to express his opinions in accordance with the Assembly rules.
“Chatterjee was removed from the state cabinet but he remains a member of the Assembly. Therefore, he has the right to attend any session of the Assembly. As a seasoned legislator, he will be allotted time to share his insights if he desires,” the Speaker remarked.
Chatterjee has already expressed his intention to participate in the winter session and, if feasible, engage in debates within the House.