The West Bengal (WB) Assembly was witness to a ruckus on the first day of the budget session on Monday, 7 March, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs staging a protest alleging violence in the recent civic polls, leading to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar tabling his inaugural speech instead of delivering it, reported PTI.
Dhankhar, according to the report, arrived in the Assembly at 2 pm to deliver the address but was unable to do so as BJP MLAs carrying posters and photos of alleged victims of civic poll violence surrounded the speaker's podium in protest.
Photos of the incident show the governor pleading with the MLAs to allow the proceedings to begin. According to the PTI report, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) members also raised anti-BJP slogans.
The report adds that Dhankar tried to leave the house thrice but his way was blocked by legislators. The political drama continued till 3 pm.
BJP Alleges Guv Was 'Physically Assaulted'
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Dhankhar later at Raj Bhavan. While answering media questions in the Vidhan Sabha, Banerjee said that the protest may be “preplanned.”
“What BJP did today in the assembly is a shame for democracy. It is unprecedented. The saffron party wanted to create a constitutional crisis. We requested the governor to read at least one line from his speech and table it in the House. He kept our request. We are thankful to him,” reported PTI, quoting Banerjee.
Post the incident, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the governor was "physically assaulted by TMC leaders" and that "what happened inside the House everybody saw it very carefully... we'll meet Governor. He should take appropriate action against it. If necessary will consult with central govt."
According to ANI, BJP leaders, along with Adhikari, marched towards Raj Bhavan to meet Dhankhar after the ruckus in the Assembly session.
A similar incident occurred in July 2021 when Dhankar was compelled to cut short his Assembly speech amid protest by the BJP MLAs.
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