BJP MLAs protest in the premises of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in Kolkata on February 8, 2023. Photo credit: Shiv Sahai Singh
BJP legislators tried to disrupt West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose’s maiden address to the state assembly as he protested “corruption” by the ruling Trinamool Congress. As soon as the governor began to list the achievements of the Trinamool Congress, the legislators shouted slogans and tore papers in the House. Government.
Amidst the uproar, the sloganeering continued when the governor was carrying forward his address. After several minutes, BJP legislators walked out of the West Bengal Assembly, protesting the contents of the Governor’s address.
BJP legislators, led by Leader of the Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari, continued to protest in the House premises and waved posters when the Governor left the House after finishing his speech. While the Trinamool Congress was targeted in the slogans and posters, some slogans were also directed at the Governor.
This was Mr. Bose’s first address to the state assembly after taking over as the governor of the state in November 2022. 2022, when BJP MLAs supported the then Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar as treasury bench members stopped Mr Dhankhar from leaving the House without reading his address.
BJP MLAs holding posters outside the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in Kolkata on February 8, 2023 | Photo credit: Shiv Sahai Singh
“We do not want to blame the governor. Tamil Nadu Governor N. Instead of following the path shown by Ravi or our former governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, our governor is following the path shown by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,” said Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Mr. Adhikari said that the slogans of the BJP MLAs were directed at the Governor’s address and not the Governor’s address.
State minister Firhad Hakim said those who raised “go back” slogans in front of the governor were not aware of the provisions of the constitution and had no right to continue as members of the House.
In his address, the governor raised the issue of pending MGNREGA funds, which the state is yet to receive from the Centre. “Over ₹11,800 crore is pending. This has caused great hardship and created great difficulties in the fulfillment of the obligations of the State Government for the welfare of the common people. I hope the Center will release the funds soon in the interest of the poor people,” the governor said in his address.
He also said that despite facing innumerable challenges, the government is “resolute on its way to face all possible attacks on the secular fabric of our state”.