Synopsis
The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly budget session commences without the suspended Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari. Discussions will primarily focus on select departments, causing discontent among BJP legislators due to the exclusion of important topics.Key Takeaways
- Second phase begins without LoP Suvendu Adhikari
- Suspension of four BJP legislators continues
- Budget discussions limited to few departments
- BJP protests over exclusion of critical departments
- Jadavpur University crisis expected to spark debate
Kolkata, March 10 (NationPress) The second phase of the budget session of the West Bengal Assembly is set to commence on Monday without the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Suvendu Adhikari, in attendance, due to his suspension.
Last month, Adhikari and three additional BJP legislators were suspended for a month during the initial phase of the budget session, and their suspension will persist until the conclusion of the second phase on March 19.
This phase will primarily focus on discussions regarding the budget allocations for various state government departments. However, the opposition BJP is expressing dissatisfaction with the agenda, which indicates that discussions will only take place for a select few departments, including education, health, power, labor, panchayat affairs, rural development, municipal affairs, and urban development. Consequently, budget allocations for other departments are expected to be approved without any debate in the House.
Particularly concerning for the BJP legislative team is the absence of discussions on several significant departments, including the state home department. The police department, which falls under the home department, is directly overseen by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
In response, BJP legislators, led by party chief whip Shankar Ghosh, are preparing to protest on the floor of the House, questioning the exclusion of numerous critical departments from the discussion agenda.
As per Trinamool Congress insiders, the Chief Minister is anticipated to be present in the House on March 12 when discussions regarding state panchayat affairs and rural development will occur. On the same day, she is also expected to chair a cabinet meeting within the Assembly.
Another topic anticipated to generate intense debate during this session is the ongoing crisis at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, stemming from the March 1 incident on campus where two students were severely injured and hospitalized after being 'allegedly and deliberately' struck by the vehicle of state Education Minister Bratya Basu.
The BJP legislators are preparing to confront the state education minister regarding this issue during the House proceedings.
