Synopsis
Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, announced that BJP would petition the Supreme Court regarding MLA defections, implicating the state Assembly Speaker. This follows recent party defections to Trinamool Congress amidst claims of constitutional violations and calls for protests.Key Takeaways
- BJP plans to approach Supreme Court over MLA defections.
- Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay to be included in the petition.
- Claims of over 56 defectors since 2011 from various parties.
- Concerns over constitutional violations regarding anti-defection laws.
- Protests planned in Speaker's constituency.
Kolkata, March 11 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, announced on Tuesday that the BJP plans to approach the Supreme Court regarding the MLA defection issue and intends to include the state Assembly Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay as a party in the case.
This statement follows the recent defection of BJP legislator Tapasi Mondal from Haldia, who joined the Trinamool Congress while still retaining her status as a 'BJP legislator'.
Adhikari addressed the media outside the Assembly, claiming that the Speaker has failed to uphold the Indian Constitution.
“Since 2011, the Trinamool Congress has absorbed at least 56 defectors from various parties, including BJP, Congress, CPI(M), Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Forward Block. The Speaker shows no respect for the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which pertains to the anti-defection law,” stated the Leader of the Opposition.
He further accused the Speaker of unlawfully permitting two Trinamool Congress members, Sayantika Banerjee from Baranagar and Reyat Houssen Sarkar from Bhagabangola, to take part in Assembly activities against the orders of West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose.
“A similar case regarding the defection of 10 legislators in Telangana is currently pending at the Apex Court, with the next hearing set for March 25. Following that, the BJP will also file a petition concerning the MLA defection in West Bengal and will include the Speaker as a party,” Adhikari added.
Additionally, he indicated that large-scale protest demonstrations by the BJP are expected in the Speaker's constituency of Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district.
During the press interaction, Adhikari also highlighted recent orchestrated attacks on Hindu religious and business establishments across various regions of the state.
“The police have stood by as mere spectators in these incidents, with no arrests made in connection with them,” Adhikari concluded.
