Congress, AITC walk out against govt's refusal to submit report

Kolkata,July 20 (UNI) Opposition Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) members today staged a noisy walk-out from the West Bengal Assembly protesting against the government's refusal to submit any 'Action Taken' report about yesterday's water-logging in the city and its neighbourhood.

Lone SUCI member Debaprasad Sarkar also walked out of the House protesting against the government's 'inaction' to prevent violence in his constituency in South 24 Parganas district.

Immediately after the conclusion of question hour when the Speaker allowed Trinamool Congress member Ashish Banerjee and Congress legislature Nepal Mahato to read out an adjournment regarding the huge water-logging yesterday, both Congrees and the AITC members started demanding an immediate statement from the urban Development minister and the chief minister on the issue.

When Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim disallowed their demand despite the presence of both the ministers in the House, the entire Opposition rushed to the well and continued to raise their voice in support of their demand.

Some MLAs, including Taher Ali(AITC), were seen tearing off the Assembly papers but as the Speaker refused to oblige, the Congress and the AITC bench, led by Opposition leader Partho Chatterjee and Congress Chief whip Manas Bhunia, left the House shouting anti-government slogans.

Later talking to newsmen at the lobby, Mr Chatterjee blamed the alleged inefficieny of the Urban Development department, demanding resignation of the concerned minister Ashok Bhattacharjee and said his department had failed to realise the gravity of the situation and had no right to continue in office.

Soon they returned to the House and took part in the proceedings.

Mr Sarkar, protesting against the government's refusal to submit any report on the increasing political violence at Mathurapur in South 24 Parganas district, did not return after staging the walk-out.

UNI ABA SP PL LS RS1411