BJP Skips All-party Meet Ahead of Budget Session, Says Oppn Not Allowed to Speak

The BJP on Tuesday skipped the all-party meeting called by West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, saying the opposition was not allowed to speak on such occasions, an allegation termed “baseless” by the ruling TMC.

The speaker had called an all-party meeting ahead of the budget session, which will begin on Wednesday with Governor CV Anand Bose’s address.

“What is the point of going to an all-party meeting when we are not allowed to speak? It is the ruling party that calls the shots. The post of chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which belongs to the main opposition party, has also been given to an MLA who has switched to TMC,” said BJP chief whip Manoj Tigga.

BJP MLA Krishna Kalyani, who crossed over to TMC after winning the election on saffron camp ticket in 2021, is currently holding the post of PAC president.

Earlier, the post was held by senior leader Mukul Roy, who crossed over from the BJP to the ruling TMC just a month after the elections.

“A few days ago, one of our MLAs, Suman Kanjilal, joined TMC. But he did not resign from the post of BJP MLA. The Speaker has not taken any action on such defection,” Tigga said.

Responding to the allegations, the speaker can contact the BJP leaders if they have any complaints.

“He has to first understand the anti-defection laws. As far as appointing PAC chairman is concerned, I have not violated any rule.

Echoing his views, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said the BJP has no respect for democratic norms.

“In the past too, BJP leaders have left Business Consultative Committee and all-party meetings. The reasons given by him and the allegations made by him are baseless,” he said.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)