Speaker Biman Banerjee on Monday admonished the leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, for some of his allegedly derisive remarks questioning the legitimacy of the resolution on the Manipur turmoil that was discussed and passed by voice vote in the Bengal Assembly.
Banerjee warned the BJP leader against threats of legal action and reminded him of the need for decorum.
When chief minister Mamata Banerjee spoke on the subject, Adhikari kept claiming that the Bengal Assembly had no business discussing the law and order — a State subject according to the Constitution — of another state and the matter was sub judice.
The Speaker underscored the fact that the BJP legislature party participated in the process.
“You (Adhikari) did not even go through the motion properly… if you did, you would have known why we are well within our rights to do this. If you thought this is illegitimate, you would not have taken part in the discussion,” said the visibly displeased Speaker.
“You, however, did (participate), and you were duly heard. Suvendubabu, you have to listen as well. Only tearing up papers (as a dramatic gesture of protest) will not do,” he added.
However, the BJP lawmakers indulged in bellicose sloganeering relentlessly through the second half of Mamata’s 29-minute address in order to drown out her voice.
The BJP’s Nandigram MLA later threatened to get the Assembly of every BJP-ruled state in the country, starting with Uttar Pradesh, to pass similar resolutions against alleged crimes against women and the “collapse” of law and order in Bengal under Mamata.
Since taking charge as the leader of the Opposition in 2021, Adhikari has repeatedly accused Speaker Banerjee of bias in running the House.
“In the Lok Sabha (where the BJP has an absolute majority), nobody treats the Speaker (Om Birla) this way,” said Speaker Banerjee.
Responding to Adhikari’s finger-wagging at him, threatening legal action against the motion, the Speaker said the doors of the judiciary were not open exclusively for the BJP.
“You should remember, Mr Adhikari, the judiciary is not yours alone to approach,” said the Speaker.
