Kolkata, 16 June (H.S.) – A major uproar erupted in the West Bengal Assembly on Monday during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s speech targeting the central government, leading to the suspension of BJP MLA Manoj Kumar Oraon. Oraon, who represents Kumargram in Alipurduar district, was suspended from the House following his protest, although the duration of the suspension has not been specified.
The incident unfolded on the sixth day of the monsoon session, as Banerjee accused the Centre of withholding funds due to West Bengal under various centrally sponsored schemes, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
“Funds under MGNREGA have been completely stopped. The dues meant for West Bengal under several central schemes are being diverted to other states,” Banerjee alleged in her address to the Assembly.
She further said that despite multiple visits by central investigation agencies to Bengal and the state’s full cooperation with their queries, the Union government continues to block payments.
As Banerjee spoke, BJP legislators, led by party chief whip in the Assembly Shankar Ghosh, began shouting slogans in protest. Amid the chaos, Speaker Biman Banerjee announced the suspension of Manoj Oraon for his conduct in the House.
Reacting to the suspension, BJP MLAs staged a protest inside the Assembly and later walked out, holding posters and sitting on a dharna in the Assembly lawns. They condemned the move as undemocratic and demanded that the suspension be revoked.
Earlier in the day, BJP members had sought a discussion on the state’s education system. However, Speaker Banerjee declined the request, citing that the matter was sub judice. BJP legislators argued that the House had previously allowed discussions on matters pending before courts.
During her speech, Mamata Banerjee also reiterated that Bengali-speaking citizens in other states were being harassed and wrongly labelled as Bangladeshis, adding to the tension in the House.
The session continued in a charged atmosphere, with the BJP indicating that it would continue its agitation over Oraon’s suspension.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
