Suvendu Adhikari boycotts Bengal Assembly even after suspension ends over expulsion of BJP MLA Dipak Barman

Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, has decided not to attend the ongoing Budget session of the Assembly, even if his suspension is lifted. This decision is in protest against the suspension of the BJP MLA from Falakata, Dipak Barman, from the Assembly. On February 17, Speaker Biman Banerjee suspended Suvendu, along with three other BJP MLAs—Agnimitra Paul, Bishwanath Karak, and Bankim Ghosh—for one month.

The suspension period is ending on Tuesday. On March 10, despite the Assembly Speaker banning BJP MLAs Shankar Ghosh and Manoj Orav from speaking in the session, they were removed from the House by marshals for speaking. In protest against the expulsion of his two colleagues from the Assembly chamber, the Falakata BJP MLA, Dipak, tore the proceedings of the Assembly. As a result, the Speaker suspended him for the remainder of the current session.

In February, the Speaker had suspended four BJP MLAs, including Suvendu, for tearing papers and protesting in the well of the House during the first phase of the Budget session. Their one-month suspension will end on Tuesday. The Budget session of the Assembly will continue until Thursday. Consequently, the Leader of the Opposition may attend the session for two days. However, Suvendu has decided not to attend the session in protest against the suspension of Dipak.

On the other hand, Suvendu was invited to attend an Iftar event organized by the Assembly on Tuesday. Assembly workers visited Suvendu's office to extend the invitation. Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee and State Minister Firhad Hakim are also expected to attend the Iftar party next Thursday. While Suvendu claims that his name was not included in the initial list of invitees, he was later invited by the Speaker's order. The Assembly workers extended Eid greetings while inviting him.