What’s Next for Partha Chatterjee's Seat in Bengal Assembly?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Partha Chatterjee's seat is uncertain due to lack of communication.
- He is now classified as an Independent legislator.
- Chatterjee plans to attend the upcoming Winter Assembly session.
- He has not yet requested to reactivate his salary account.
- His political career includes significant roles in the Trinamool Congress.
Kolkata, Nov 20 (NationPress) A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the new seat allotment for former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee in the state Assembly, as he has not yet officially notified the Assembly Secretariat regarding his attendance at the upcoming Winter session scheduled for next month.
Chatterjee, who was suspended from the Trinamool Congress following his arrest by Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in July 2022 related to the multi-crore cash-for-school job scandal, will now be treated as an Independent legislator. Consequently, he will not receive a seat in either the Treasurer or Opposition benches.
His new seating arrangement is expected to be located midway between the Treasury and Opposition benches.
However, according to an insider from the Assembly Secretariat, no steps can be taken regarding Chatterjee's new seat allocation until he formally communicates his plans to attend the forthcoming Winter session.
After being released on bail earlier this month following a stint of over three years in jail, Chatterjee assured the media of his intention to participate in the Assembly session and engage in debates.
Nevertheless, he has yet to inform the Assembly Secretariat.
Additionally, Chatterjee has not submitted an official request for the reactivation of his bank account, which was used to deposit his salary as an elected representative prior to his arrest.
Until he makes this formal request, sources within the Assembly Secretariat have confirmed that his account will remain inactive, and his salary will not be credited.
The former Minister has had a distinguished political career as a five-time Trinamool Congress legislator from the Behala (Paschim) Assembly constituency in the South 24 Parganas district. During the time when Trinamool Congress was in opposition, Chatterjee served as the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal.
Under the current Trinamool Congress government, he has held significant Ministerial roles, including overseeing the Education and Commerce and Industries departments, while also managing the party's organizational matters as Secretary General.