The BJP MLAs caused chaos in the West Bengal State Assembly, prompting a stern response from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday. She stated, "If the Opposition has any opinion, they can discuss it after the completion of the Budget. They have the freedom to express their opinion, but this is not a BJP party office. This is not the space for Opposition to do politics".
Banerjee condemned what she referred to as "dirty politics" and accused the BJP of being against the state and anti-Bengal. She further said, "Aren't you ashamed that you are not allowing us to present the Budget? Your opinion can be expressed in your speech, but this is not your BJP party office; this is the Assembly. They should remember that they have suspended 147 MPs from Parliament, but we do not want to go down that path. If you have the courage, speak after the Budget presentation, not before that".
State's Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya presented the budget for 2024-25 on Thursday, including a slew of policies for social welfare and job creation, while accusing the Centre of imposing a "financial blockade" on the state.
Bhattacharya, who presented a budget of Rs 3,66,166 crore, stated that the monthly financial assistance under the 'Lakhsmir Bhandar' scheme has been increased to Rs 1,200 for the SC and ST communities, and to Rs 1,000 for all other categories.
"The Centre has imposed a financial blockade on West Bengal. But we will not back down. "The state owes the central government nearly Rs 1.18 lakh crore," she said.
Responding to Mamata's remarks, LoP Suvendu Adhikari told ANI: "Who CM? (She's an) Anti-national. It cannot work as she wishes. This is not her house. Bengal's song is not the National Anthem. Mamata Banerjee is an anti-national. The government should take action against her. The budget is rubbish. It was an election speech. Chor Mamata gave 21,000 new liquor shops. BJP accepts her challenge. She should close the Parliament tomorrow if she can".
Earlier on Wednesday, Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay clarified that the ongoing budget session, which began on February 5, does not necessitate the customary governor's address. He said that the previous session was adjourned sine die in December, and the House was not prorogued, as reported by news agency PTI.
According to the report, Bandyopadhyay justified the decision by citing precedents in Parliament, stating that there were instances when the House adjourned in one month and resumed in the next without an address by the head of state. He pointed to cases in 1962 and 2003 as examples where no President's address was required.
Responding to the Speaker's explanation, BJP MLA Ashok Lahiri acknowledged the correctness "by law, by constitutional rules," but expressed his reluctance to accept it in spirit, according to the report. Lahiri argued that the situation in 1962, involving a war with China, was an exceptional and emergency circumstance not comparable to the present.
The leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, called the decision "the eighth wonder of the world," noting that such developments are unique to West Bengal, the PTI report said. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay supported the decision, stating that since the previous session was not prorogued, there was no mandatory rule for the governor's inaugural address, it added further.
During Wednesday's proceedings, Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay also urged members to be present when ministers responded to queries. This came after TMC MLA and agriculture minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay expressed displeasure over the absence of three BJP MLAs during his replies to opposition questions.
Chattopadhyay said, "MLAs should be present when a minister is giving a reply to your questions," as reported by PTI.
The opposition BJP's alleged preference for disruptive actions over participation in the proceedings was criticised by the minister, who stated, "I have never seen such an opposition like the BJP legislators in the assembly. Even the leader of the opposition is mostly absent in important discussions,". BJP legislator Agnimitra Paul countered, deeming the minister's statement "unfortunate" and "not true".