Tensions have reached a boiling point in the West Bengal Assembly as Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, and several BJP legislators have declared their intention to boycott Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's upcoming speech. The protest comes in the wake of Adhikari's suspension from the Assembly on Monday, following a disruption caused by BJP members who attempted to introduce a motion that was rejected by the Speaker.
The altercation began when BJP members, including Adhikari, stormed the well of the Assembly in protest after their motion was dismissed. According to reports, Adhikari allegedly tore up the Assembly’s agenda, a move that led to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) bringing forward a suspension motion against him and three other BJP legislators. The motion passed with a majority vote, resulting in the suspension of these members for the remainder of the session.
Following the suspension, Adhikari and his supporters met to discuss their next course of action. Adhikari announced that BJP legislators would not attend Mamata Banerjee's speech in the Assembly on Tuesday. Instead, they plan to protest outside the Assembly gates, where they will stage a sit-in and chant slogans, including "Shame! Shame!" against the Chief Minister. This move is aimed at highlighting their opposition to the ruling government’s actions.
In addition to the physical protests, the BJP has also planned to intensify its opposition through digital means. The party is reportedly setting up a new online platform to live-stream the protests and legislative sessions, ensuring that their activities and grievances are visible to the public. The growing political divide between the TMC and BJP in the state is now evident, and this escalation of protests marks another chapter in the ongoing conflict.