The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday decided to move a resolution in the Assembly next Monday to condemn the BJP’s alleged attempts to divide Bengal.

Around the same time, BJP legislators submitted a no-confidence motion against Speaker Biman Banerjee for his alleged partisan behaviour, the twin moves setting the stage for more confrontation in the House.

The decision to bring the resolution under Section 185 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly was taken at a business advisory committee meeting.

The development comes a day after chief minister Mamata Banerjee asserted on the floor of the Assembly that her party would resist any attempts by the saffron camp to divide Bengal.

“It is painful to say that a few BJP lawmakers demanded to divide Bengal. It is a political vendetta of the BJP, and the attempt is part of their politics of polarisation. There is a difference of opinion within the BJP. We want BJP legislators to express their views on this issue in the Assembly. We will move the motion on the floor of the House to expose the BJP,” state parliamentary affairs minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said.

The issue of dividing Bengal resurfaced in state politics following comments by at least four BJP lawmakers, including BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar. Majumdar had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include the eight north Bengal districts in the North Eastern Council (a statutory body for the eight Northeastern states).

Another proposal, billed by the Trinamool as an attempt to divide Bengal, was tossed up by Godda MP Nishikant Dubey. Dubey mooted the idea of a Union Territory comprising Malda and Murshidabad districts of Bengal and parts of Jharkhand. BJP MLA Gouri Sankar Ghosh supported Dubey’s demand, claiming he had written to the Union home Ministry two years ago for a Union Territory, including Malda and Murshidabad. Rajya Sabha member Nagen Ray had reiterated his demand for Greater Cooch Behar.

As the Trinamool was trying to corner the BJP over its alleged attempts to redraw Bengal’s borders, the saffron party submitted a no-confidence motion against Speaker Banerjee demanding his removal for his alleged partisan attitude.

Submitting an 18-point agenda to the principal secretary on Monday, leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said: “We demand the Speaker’s removal because he is acting on behalf of apolitical party and acting to suppress the words of the Opposition sitting on thechair which is supposed tobe unbiased.”

“Several motions brought by the Opposition were declined, but when the TMC moves motions thataren’t even related to thestate, they are allowed,” Adhikari added.

Political observers maintained that the moves by Trinamool Congress and the BJP were part of a largerstrategy to mount pressureon each other to reap maximum benefits from legislative politics.

Asked about it, Adhikari said: “We want to makethings very clear. The BJP is strongly against any kind of division of the state. This is our official stand. I don’tknow what others are saying but the BJP is strongly against any kind of partition ofthe state.”

A senior Trinamool Congress leader said: “If that is the official stand of the BJP then let them say it on thefloor of the Assembly. Let them officially announce it in front of the people ofthe state.”