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Journalism of Courage
CALCUTTA, MARCH 2: West Bengal Assembly on Thursday plunged into bedlam with the members coming to blows as the Opposition obstructed Governor Viren J Shah from reading out his address on the opening day of the Budget session.
As soon as the Governor entered the house, Congress members led by Paresh Pal prevented him from going to the podium and displayed posters demanding Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Jyoti Basu and his son and the arrest of Minister of State for Transport Sushanta Ghose for allegedly instigating violence in Midnapore.
The lone BJP member Badal Bhattacharya, his mouth tied with black cloth, jumped into the well carrying a poster demanding action against police for making lathicharge on his partymen on Wednesday.
Congress member Ramjanam Majhi who rushed to the podium close to the Chief Minister’s seat, was promptly removed by the watch and ward staff who were joined by some ministers.
Even as the Opposition members jostled with those from the treasury bench and blocked his way, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Probodh Chandra Sinha led the Governor to his chair through the treasury benches.
Some Opposition members repeatedly threw papers at the Governor forcing him close his speech midway.
Ministers including Urban Development Minister Ashoke Bhattacharya, Fisheries Minister Krinamoy Nanda and Housing Minister Gautam Deb were seen exchanging blows with Congress member Ramjanam Majhi.
Congress’ Pal mounted the Assembly secretary’s table facing the Speaker’s podium and obstructed the Governor from reading his speech. As the pandemonium continued, Deputy Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee left his seat and stood besides the Governor’s chair. In the din the Governor’s speech could not be heard from the press gallery.
When the Governor stopped his speech barely after a few minutes and left the House, the Congress members tried to block his way. Congress chief whip Abdul Mannan and senior MLA of the party Saugata Roy were seen asking them not to do it. The security staff also put up a cordon.
A Congress member Ashoke Deb however came out and lay on the ground in front of the Governor’s car.
Later talking to newsmen, Mannan alleged that Majhi was beaten up by some ministers and injured. He was rushed to hospital. He wondered how the Opposition members showed restraint if the ministers behaved in such a way.
