Legislators of the Left Front walked out of the Assembly here on Friday in protest against the rejection of an adjournment motion moved by them demanding a discussion on criminal charges against certain MLAs of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Speaker Biman Banerjee rejected the adjournment motion moved by senior MLA of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Anisur Rahaman and some other legislators of the Left Front stating it ‘was out of order’. Moments later, the Left Front MLAs stood up from their seats and raised slogans and walked out of the House.
Speaking to journalists, Leader of the Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra said the criminal charges against ruling party legislators, including some women MLAs, deserved a discussion in the House.
“Charges against some MLAs were filed by the police on the direction of the Election Commission during the Lok Sabha polls. The legislators are still untraceable,” Mr. Mishra said. “It is shameful what certain legislators of the ruling party have done,” Mr. Mishra said reading out from the text of the adjournment motion that was not allowed to be read in the House.
At least, three MLAs, including two women law-makers, are facing serious charges and are not present in the Assembly during the session.
Referring to allegations against Monirul Islam, MLA from Labhpur in Birbhum district, he said the legislator had publicly admitted killing three people under his feet and threatened to kill others at a public gathering.
“His name has been removed from the charge sheet submitted by the police though it was in an FIR relating to the killing of three persons,” Mr. Mishra alleged. The Birbhum district police had filed a charge sheet earlier this month in connection with the murder of three CPI (M) activists in 2010.
On Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not attending the proceedings of the Assembly regularly, Mr. Mishra said the opposition had ‘lost all hope of her presence in the House’.
Though Ms. Banerjee was not present in the question hour, she came to the House later in day and made a statement on bifurcation of Jalpaiguri district. “She is scared to face questions in the House,” Mr. Mishra said.
