Why Were Four BJP Legislators Suspended for the Entire Monsoon Session in Bengal Assembly?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four BJP legislators suspended for the entire Monsoon session.
- Protests erupted immediately after the suspension announcement.
- Scuffle occurred between BJP members and security personnel.
- Questions raised about democratic practices in the Assembly.
- Speaker's decision on expunging speeches led to dissatisfaction among opposition members.
Kolkata, June 23 (NationPress) A significant disturbance erupted in the West Bengal Assembly on Monday, marking the 11th day of the ongoing Monsoon session, triggered by the suspension of four BJP legislators for the entirety of the session.
The suspended BJP members include Shankar Ghosh from Siliguri in the Darjeeling district, Agnimitra Paul from Asansol Dakshin in West Burdwan, Manoj Kumar Oraon from Kumargram in Alipurduar, and Dipak Barman from Falakata, also in Alipurduar.
Notably, Ghosh serves as the Chief Whip of the BJP's Legislative Party, while Paul is a well-known fashion designer.
The uproar began immediately after Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay declared the suspension of the four legislators.
Other BJP legislators, including the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, rallied to the well of the House to protest and chant slogans.
This led to a heated exchange between the Assembly Speaker and the LoP.
In response, the Speaker called upon the Marshall and security personnel to remove the protesting BJP legislators from the premises.
A scuffle ensued between the Opposition MLAs and the security staff as the BJP leaders were forcibly evicted, resulting in damage to Shankar Ghosh's spectacles and watch.
The atmosphere in the Assembly has been tense since the proceedings commenced on Monday.
BJP legislator from the Balurghat constituency in South Dinajpur and former Chief Economic Advisor to the Union government, Ashok Kumar Lahiri, raised questions about the expunging of his party's speeches on the ninth and tenth day of the Monsoon session.
In response, Chandrima Bhattacharya, the West Bengal Minister of State for Finance (Independent charge), stated that the Speaker had ordered the expunging of those speeches.
This prompted further protests from the BJP legislators, who deemed the expunging undemocratic.
Opposition MLAs demonstrated their dissent by tearing up documents related to the House proceedings.
Subsequently, the Speaker announced the suspension of the four BJP legislators.