Trinamool upset with last-minute introduction of land bill

TMC member Derek O' Brien slams Congress and CPI-M for being mum on issue in Rajya Sabha while entire House protested

The Trinamool Congress today questioned the "last-minute" introduction of the Constitution Amendment Bill providing for demarcation of the boundary with Bangladesh in the Rajya Sabha and said it would strongly oppose the passing of the Bill.      

In a tweet, TMC Rajya Sabha member Derek O' Brien also criticised the Congress and the CPI-M for remaining silent on the issue in the Rajya Sabha while the entire House protested.     

"Entire House protested, except Congress and CPI(M). Are they loyal to Bengal or Bangladesh?" the tweet said.

O'Brien later told PTI, "This (Bill) was added in the last minute before the House was adjourned sine die and was not put up in the agreed list of business in the House."

He said that his party's opposition to the Bill was clear and it was also articulated by party supremo Mamata Banerjee in a Facebook post earlier," he said.

Mamata in her Facebook post had said, "The state government had mentioned to National Security Adviser and previous and present ministers of external affairs the need for obtaining consent from the people residing in the areas that are to be transferred...West Bengal will get only about 7,000 acres but will have to cede nearly 17,000 acres to Bangladesh."

The Land Boundary Agreement envisages exchange of about 160 enclaves adversely held by India and Bangladesh in each other's territories and alterations in boundaries at some places.