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A controversy erupted today over the time of arrival of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the West Bengal Assembly on the first day of its budget session which customarily begins with the Governor's speech.
Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) member Surya Kanta Mishra alleged that the chief minister arrived after the playing of the national anthem had been over, which he termed as "unprecedented".
As per the Assembly convention, the Governor is escorted from the door to inside by the Speaker and the retinue of the secretariat, while the council of ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, keep standing till the playing of the anthem is over.
However, parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee retorted that the Governor had entered the Assembly at 2.56 pm while he was supposed to reach there at three pm.
"The Chief Minister is very punctual in attending official events," he claimed.
