Shah in Kolkata for BJP rally today; Suvendu suspended from House

Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address a BJP rally at Dharmatala in the heart of the city on Wednesday during his one-day tour to motivate his party workers of West Bengal ahead of the Lok Sabha Election.

While the state BJP leadership is trying to mobilize one lakh party workers from the districts to the rally, 10 boxes will remain placed at the venue to allow them to submit their complaints against Trinamul Congress' corruption in central welfare schemes.

To counter the BJP event, TMC MLAs have decided to agitate on the Assembly premises alleging the Centre's apathy in releasing public welfare funds to the state government.

A day before the BJP rally, a drama unfolded in the Assembly. On Tuesday, a discussion on Constitution Day was held at the House. BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh alleged the House has no records of his party MLAs’ defection to TMC.

As Speaker Biman Banerjee contested his claim, the leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari attacked him verbally. He tore documents with him and rushed towards Mr Banerjee who asked him to calm down.

But Mr Adhikari threatened to repeat his behavior before staging a walkout with other BJP MLAs. Later TMC deputy chief whip Tapas Roy accused the Nandigram BJP MLA of insulting the Speaker.

He also sought Mr Adhikari be suspended from the House. Mr Banerjee then suspended Mr Adhikari for the remaining days of the winter session for his “unparliamentary and unwarranted” behavior.

He said, “One can shout in a bylane but not in the House. There is a need to develop that sense. I urge the opposition leaders not to behave rudely. This is not right to insult the Constitution while discussing it. Mr Adhikari however alleged, “The voters of Bengal will suspend Mamata Banerjee in the next polls.”