Noisy scenes in West Bengal Assembly

The West Bengal Assembly on Friday witnessed noisy scenes when Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay refused a point of order raised by Leader of Opposition Surya Kanta Mishra related to the hooch tragedy.

The Speaker was about to begin Question Hour when Mishra raised the point of order saying the Chief Minister had said in the House that an all-party meeting would be held to find a way in tackling the illicit liquor problem in the wake of the hooch tragedy at Sangrampur.

But he said, Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee had told media channels inside his office yesterday that CPI(M) leaders acted in a planned way by mixing toxic substances in the liquor. Stating Chatterjee's statement went against the spirit of an all-party meeting, Mishra said he should admit before the House that what he said was wrong. Mishra also wanted to know why the television cameras were allowed inside Chatterjee's chamber when the Speaker had banned the entry of camera inside the Assembly precincts except on some occasions.

When Bandopadhyay refused to admit the point of order, the Left members rushed to the well shouting slogans like 'Inquilab Jindabad.' For sometime, nothing would be heard in the din. The protesting members, however, returned to their seats when the Speaker began the Question Hour.

After the Question Hour, Bandopadhyay ruled that the point of order was not admitted because it did not mention anything that violated the rules of the House.

He said he would look into the issue of the entry of television cameras in Chatterjee's chamber located in the Assembly precincts.