The acrimony between the ruling Trinamul and Opposition BJP spilled o from the floor of the Assembly on to the grounds outside.
Soon after the state song, "Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol", was played, BJP legislators led by leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari stood in their alloted seats and started singing the national anthem.
"The national anthem is sang at the end of any event," a visibly irate chief minister Mamata Banerjee, running a fever, intervened, before the budget speech could start. "This is not the BJP's office. With folded hands I am requesting you to let the budget be presented. If you stop us now, we will not let you present the budget."
It wasn't clear if Mamata was referring to the final budget to be placed in Parliament post the Lok Sabha polls.
Speaker Biman Banerjee too interjected. "I went to attend a Speakers conference in Maharashtra. At the start the Maharashtra state song was played and the national anthem at the end."
As minister of state for finance (independent charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya started reading from the printed booklet, BJP lawmakers objected to the repeated references to the Centre in the budget speech.
After the budget speech was over, the Opposition left for the press corner to address the media. Around the same time Mamata was at her chamber ready to give her reaction on the budget.
The address was supposed to be live streamed at the press corner. As the BJP lawmakers remained inside the chief minister got visibly upset.
"I have informed the Speaker already (about the press corner). Our time is precious. They have nothing to do except telling lies, insult Bengal and its people. They are making baseless comments. People don't want to listen to them. If press has accepted to listen to them I won't speak with the media in the future in the Assembly," said Mamata, before instructing her staff to disconnect the live feed. "They occupied the press corner even before the national anthem got over. I am sorry. I am the chief minister. People want to listen to me."
Before leaving the Assembly Mamata repeated she won't speak to the media.
While this was on the Assembly staff were busy celebrating with green abir the announcement of hike in DA.
Four state ministers Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas and Sujit Bose were seen loitering outside the press corner. Later they left.
Around 6pm, Suvendu spotted Asansol South MLA from BJP Agnimitra Paul waiting for her car. As Mamata's convoy passed Suvendu and others shouted "chor, chor".The Assembly staff who were celebrating rushed out shouting Mamata Banerjee zindabad. By then Suvendu and others had also left.
