Kolkata, 22 July (H.S.): High drama unfolded in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Wednesday after Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Kunal Ghosh was suspended for the remainder of the day following a heated confrontation with the party's Chief Whip, Akhruzzaman.

The disruption occurred during the Assembly proceedings when Akhruzzaman rose to speak. According to Assembly sources, Ghosh left his seat and confronted the Chief Whip, alleging that he was repeatedly being denied an opportunity to speak and that his name had been deliberately omitted from the list of speakers.

The verbal exchange quickly escalated, leading to a noisy scene inside the House as several legislators gathered in the well of the Assembly. Speaker Rathindra Nath Bose repeatedly urged Ghosh to return to his seat and warned that disciplinary action would follow if he refused to comply.

When the situation failed to improve, the Speaker directed Assembly marshals to escort Ghosh out of the House. During the eviction, there was jostling between the MLA and the marshals. Ghosh reportedly resisted being removed and fell to the floor during the commotion before being taken out of the Assembly. He was subsequently suspended for the rest of the day's proceedings.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari strongly condemned Ghosh's conduct, saying that while legislators have every right to express dissent, such behaviour was inconsistent with the dignity and decorum of the Assembly.

The Chief Minister said he had witnessed Assembly proceedings both as a member of the ruling party and the Opposition but had never seen such conduct inside the House. He also described Akhruzzaman as a senior legislator and former minister, adding that the manner in which he was confronted was unacceptable.

As the Leader of the House and the Chief Minister, I strongly condemn this incident, Adhikari said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh