Ruckus in West Bengal Assembly over Birbhum violence, MLAs come to blows

Five BJP MLAs including leader Suvendu Adhikari were suspended from the Assembly until further notice

A new low in Bengal’s political turf was witnessed on Monday when MLAs representing the BJP in the Opposition, and from the ruling Trinamool physically abused each other on the floor of the House in the state legislative assembly. The incident left at least eight legislators injured - seven of the BJP, one of Trinamool. Besides, women security personnel were also allegedly heckled. The Speaker suspended Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA and leader of the Opposition along with four other BJP legislators.

The BJP wanted a discussion on the Rampurhat incident, where eight people were allegedly burnt to death in retaliation to a Trinamool upa-pradhan’s murder, last week. One more person injured in the incident, succumbed to burn injuries on Monday. The matter, on the order of the Calcutta High Court, is being investigated by the CBI.

Legislators on both sides of the political divide, while maintaining that such an incident is unprecedented, held the other faction responsible, some even terming it ‘pre-planned’.

The BJP MLAs alleged that they wanted a discussion about the violent incident and as they protested, they were obstructed by security and Trinamool MLAs. Heated exchange of words soon transformed into a jostle. BJP's women representatives stated that they were attacked by security personnel and Trinamool legislators.

Adhikari claimed that eight to ten BJP MLAs were injured. Seven of the MLAs were admitted to the hospital, party sources later claimed.

Countering the Opposition’s argument, several Trinamool leaders - Partha Chatterjee, Firhad Hakim, Chandrima Bhattacharya - condemned the alleged aggressive behaviour of a section of BJP MLAs. It was claimed that besides women MLAs, women security personnel also faced the assault. Trinamool MLA Asit Majumdar suffered a nose injury and was rushed to hospital.

Speaker Biman Banerjee while condemning the incident stated that female security guards were assaulted. He called the fiasco unfortunate.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said that those who got beaten were the ones suspended. He also questioned the Chair, adding that the BJP MPs in an upcoming meeting on Wednesday will brief PM Modi on the state's deteriorating law and order situation, and warned of further agitations.

Sukanta has alleged that the Trinamool is politicising even the treatment of the injured BJP legislators. He added that despite having a rib-fracture, Manoj Tigga, party's chief whip, was discharged from a private hospital and doctors asked him to go back home. Manoj will be taken to New Delhi for treatment, he added.

Kunal Ghosh, Trinamool spokesperson questioned that when the CBI is investigating the Rampurhat case with officers at the spot, then why the BJP MLAs disturb the running of the Assembly. Ghosh alleged that this was an attempt at creating pressure on the CBI investigation or was a part of BJP’s political campaign.

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