Four BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, Agnimitra Paul, Vishwanath Karak, and Bankim Ghosh, have been suspended from the West Bengal (WB) Assembly for 30 days. The suspension follows a motion raised by the BJP, which alleged that Saraswati Puja was being obstructed in the state.

Adhikari expressed strong discontent with the move, criticizing the Speaker and accusing the Chief Minister of avoiding the House while closely monitoring the opposition. He pointed out that BJP MLAs had been suspended multiple times over the past few years, totaling eight months of suspension. Adhikari also stated that the BJP represents the voice of Hindus and called the current government “anti-Hindu” and a minority government.

Agnimitra Paul, leading a group of women MLAs, had introduced a motion to discuss the alleged obstruction of Saraswati Puja. However, the motion was rejected by Speaker Biman Banerjee, leading to a walkout by the BJP MLAs.

Banerjee condemned the actions of Adhikari, accusing him of throwing documents on his chair. He explained that the motion for suspension, moved by TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh, was put to a vote, which led to the suspension of the four BJP MLAs.

Adhikari claimed that the suspension was a targeted attempt to silence vocal BJP members. He questioned the suspension of Agnimitra Paul, who had been protesting from her seat, and suggested that the move was intended to allow the Chief Minister to speak freely in the Assembly the following day.

BDST: 2149 HRS, FEB 17, 2025
MSK