Roy rebukes LF Councillors over 'black cloth' debacle

Kolkata: Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) chairperson Mala Roy on Wednesday criticised the role of Left Front Councillors for appearing in the monthly session sporting a black cloth tied over their mouths, alleging that they are not allowed to speak in the session.

Mayor Sovan Chatterjee said the development work in terms of road, water and drainage are going on in such a way that it seems that the Left Councillors have nothing to point their fingers at. "If they have nothing to question then will I frame questions for them," the Mayor said.

According to the KMC chairperson, development work does not discriminate between parties or any individual councillor as it is geared towards ensuring the best of civic amenities.

"It is the job of all councillors to raise civic issues in the House so that the Mayor and the Member-Mayor in Councils are aware of the problems and hence can take steps to address them. Their role in the session on Wednesday is unfortunate," Roy said. She added that the Left councillors' questions are addressed with enough attention in the House.

"In the last two monthly sessions, discussions were held for more than two hours. It seems that they are acting in this way to draw the attention of the media," Roy said.

Leader of Left Front in KMC, Ratna Roy Majumder alleged that whenever they go for a supplementary submission after the answer of the Mayor or any Mayor in Council, they are not allowed to do so and their submission is 'expunged'.

The chairperson, however, denied such allegations and claimed that she has the right to expunge if anybody says something absurd.