Bengal Budget session begins: Governor drops anti-Centre remarks, Suvendu questions MLA oaths | Watch

The budget session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly commenced today, with Governor C.V. Ananda Bose delivering the inaugural address at 2 PM. Before the session began, a tribute was paid to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The state government had submitted a speech draft for the Governor’s address, but opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed that all references critical of the central government were removed. Adhikari alleged that the original draft contained several criticisms of the Centre, which the Governor refused to read, leading to a revised version that excluded those remarks.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chaired a legislative party meeting ahead of the session. Finance Minister of State Chandrima Bhattacharya is set to present the state budget on Wednesday at 4 PM, outlining sector-wise allocations, government spending priorities, and financial plans for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget will be closely watched for policies on welfare schemes, infrastructure projects, and state revenue management. The government is expected to provide clarity on allocations for key sectors such as health, education, and rural development.

Suvendu Adhikari also raised concerns regarding the swearing-in process of two newly elected MLAs. He claimed that their oath-taking did not follow constitutional procedures. "Oaths cannot be taken in this manner. I have written to the Governor, requesting that if they do not take the oath again, action should be taken against them. We are waiting for the Governor’s decision on this matter," Adhikari said. The BJP has formally communicated this issue to the Governor’s office, urging corrective measures. No official response from the Governor on the matter has been released yet.

The budget session is expected to witness detailed discussions on financial policies, governance matters, and legislative proposals. Political debates are likely over the Governor’s speech modifications and the procedural issues raised regarding the oath-taking of the newly elected legislators. The session will also see discussions on key state policies, law and order, and fund allocations for various government initiatives.