Legislators of the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday unanimously elected Biman Banerjee as Speaker of the State Assembly. His name was proposed by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Partha Chatterjee and was supported by MLA of other parties.
Mr Banerjee was Speaker of the Assembly from 2011-16.
Congratulating him, leader of the Congress Legislature Party Abdul Manna said that he should be impartial in his role as Speaker and should also look at the interests of Opposition. “The House belongs to the Opposition,” he said.
Senior MLA of Communist party of India (Marxist) Sujan Chkraborty also spoke in the same vein saying that he is custodian of 294 members of the House.
Addressing members of the House Chief Minister Banerjee urged the members to rise above political bitterness and work unitedly towards the development of the State.
“Come, let us all work together for the development of the State. Let us all create an example by working together. I congratulate those who have won. Especially those who have won for the first time, she said.
Ms Banerjee urged members to refrain from attacks that will sour relations between them and set up an example in the House.
Mamata raises the issue of State funding in polls
During her first address to the House after being elected for the second term, she called for State funding of elections. “So much is being said about use of black money in elections. We would like to have a debate on the State funding of elections, electoral reforms and financial reforms. If there is State funding of elections the use of black money will stop,” she added.
