- विज्ञापन -
Kolkata: The second phase of West Bengal’s budget session is set to begin today, but it will proceed without the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Suvendu Adhikari, who remains suspended. Adhikari, along with three other BJP legislators, was suspended for a month during the first phase of the session last month, and their suspension will continue until March 19.
The second phase will primarily focus on discussions regarding budgetary allocations for various state government departments. However, the opposition BJP is dissatisfied with the schedule, which only includes discussions on a select few departments, such as education, health, power, labor, panchayat affairs, and rural development, municipal affairs, and urban development. This means many other departments, including the state home department, will see their budget allocations passed without any debate. The home department, which oversees the police, is under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s direct control.
The BJP is particularly upset about the exclusion of several key departments from the discussion list. Led by party chief whip Shankar Ghosh, the BJP legislators are preparing to protest in the House.
Trinamool Congress insiders have indicated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to attend the session on March 12, when discussions on panchayat affairs and rural development are scheduled. On the same day, she is also likely to hold a meeting of the state cabinet within the Assembly.
Another contentious issue expected to stir debate is the recent incident at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, where two students were severely injured on March 1 after allegedly being struck by a vehicle belonging to state Education Minister Bratya Basu. The BJP legislators plan to confront the education minister in the House over this issue.
