Why Were 5 Opposition MLAs Suspended in Bengal Assembly?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Five BJP MLAs suspended in less than two hours.
- Protests against the suspension of Suvendu Adhikari.
- Speaker's authority challenged during assembly proceedings.
- Indicates ongoing political tensions in West Bengal.
- Highlighting concerns over democratic practices.
Kolkata, Sep 4 (NationPress) In a remarkable turn of events, five legislators from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced suspension from the West Bengal Assembly within a mere two hours on the final day of the special session on Thursday.
The suspended members include the party's Chief Whip, Shankar Ghosh, fashion designer-turned-politician Agnimitra Paul, seasoned MLA Mihir Goswami, cricketer-turned-legislator Ashok Dinda, and Bankim Ghosh.
Earlier in the week, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition, was also suspended.
On Thursday, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee began her address regarding the harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-led states, BJP legislators, led by Shankar Ghosh, protested against the 'undemocratic' suspension of Adhikari.
Their protests started from their seats and escalated as they gathered in the Well of the Assembly.
Despite Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay's requests for them to cease their protests, the BJP members continued their disruptions.
Shankar Ghosh was the first to be suspended, with the House marshal called to escort him out, further inciting the BJP workers to protest vigorously.
Subsequently, Agnimitra Paul, Mihir Goswami, Ashok Dinda, and Bankim Ghosh were also suspended, in quick succession, within the two-hour window.
Similar to Ghosh, Goswami was also taken out by the House marshal. The rapid succession of suspensions highlights a troubling trend, according to Ghosh, who remarked that undemocratic suspensions of opposition legislators have become commonplace during sessions.