TMC MLA demands resignation of 26 CPI(M) MLAs

Trinamool Congress MLA Samir Chakraborty on Wednesday demanded that 26 CPI(M) MLAs should resign after their party’s Central Committee had stated that “the election tactics adopted in West Bengal was not in consonance with its decision of not having alliance or understanding with the Congress.”

Chakraborty said this while taking part in the discussion on the Governor’s speech. He said if the 

CPI(M) legislators did not resign, it would amount to flouting the central committee’s decision openly. 

As the CPI(M) MLAs had got votes from Congress supporters, they should resign, as the alliance has been described as invalid by the party’s central committee. He said the CPI(M) MLAs should come up with a statement whether they respect the CC’s decision or not.

The Left Front and Congress councilors on Wednesday walked out of the Assembly in protest against a comment made by deputy chief whip Tapas Roy on the alliance. Criticising the alliance he said: “We have seen Buddhadeb Bhattacharya exchanging garland (thereby referring to the sharing of dais with Rahul Gandhi and the duo were photographed sharing a garland at a meeting at Park Circus Maidan) but instead of going to his in laws house (meaning Congress) he has gone back home and now it seems that divorce is on the cards.” The Left and Congress MLAs shouted slogans describing the statement as “anti parliamentary” and staged a walk out together. Though Congress MLAs returned back and attended the house, the Left legislators did not come back.

Former Urban development minister Ashok Bhattacharya wondered how could a seasoned politician like Ray, use such an un-parliamentary language. “This will vitiate the Assembly’s atmosphere and create bad precedents.”

After the Central Committee’s decision, the Left and Congress MLAs are facing an awkward situation. Though Left Front chairman Biman Bose had said on Tuesday that floor coordination would continue, but not inviting the Congress in LF’s march against price hike on July 11 has not gone well with the Congress legislators who feel that this would give wrong message to the party.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party decided to walkout on Thursday stating that they are not getting an opportunity to speak. There will also be discussion on the Budget on Saturday.