BJP MLAs won’t be given papers, says speaker after documents torn in protest
Times of India | 12 March 2025
12 Kolkata: Angry that protesting BJP legislators in the Bengal assembly were frequently tearing up papers, speaker Biman Banerjee on Tuesday asked assembly secretary Sukumar Roy not to provide any documents to the opposition party's MLAs. BJP has termed this move "unprecedented and unconstitutional". The papers being torn up include details of the scheduled legislative business in the assembly, bulletins, bills and statements.
Prior to this development, BJP MLAs tried to move an adjournment motion alleging attacks on temples at different places in Bengal. Banerjee rejected this, stating that the issue had already been deliberated upon in the assembly and did not warrant further discussion. The uproar intensified as some BJP legislators, led by their chief whip Shankar Ghosh, descended into the well of the House, shouting slogans against Trinamool Congress. In a show of dissent, a few tore up papers circulated to them.
The speaker immediately objected to this, pointing out that the BJP MLAs destroyed documents of the day's proceedings. "This is unfair," Banerjee said, and then directed the assembly secretary: "Do not give them papers." The speaker then announced that BJP MLAs would not be provided with any official documents during the ongoing budget session.
The speaker's directive further enraged BJP legislators, who stormed out of the assembly in protest. Their agitation continued on the premises, where they staged a demonstration, raising slogans against what they termed an "undemocratic move" by Banerjee.
"This is the rarest incident where the speaker has ordered the opposition MLAs not to be provided with any documents of the proceedings, including the bulletin," said state leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari. He added, however, that there would be no problem, saying: "BJP MLAs will carry a handful of paper every day (from outside), and if necessary, we will tear it in the assembly." He also warned of widespread protests on Wednesday.
Adhikari condemned the speaker's decision, calling it "unprecedented and unconstitutional". "This is a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the opposition. We have never seen a speaker taking such an authoritarian step of barring opposition MLAs from receiving assembly-related documents," he said.
In response, Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "This is a feeble attempt by BJP legislators to deflect attention. They are facing dissent from within. Their own ranks, which had 77 legislators in 2021, are now reduced to 65. Their MLAs are unhappy with the leadership. But BJP is trying to stay relevant. They are losing ground, they are embroiled in internal dissent, so this is what they will keep doing."
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