Trinamool Congress member creates uproar in Bengal Assembly

Kolkata, Jul 26 (UNI) All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) member Ashok Deb created an uproar on the last day of the budget session of the West Bengal assembly today when he exchanged verbal duel with the Speaker during Calling Attention period.

The incident took place as speaker Hasim Abdul Halim disallowed Mr Deb to address the members for the second time on the same issue during calling attention period in order to stick to the time allotted for the period by the House Business Committee.

Totally dissatisfied with the Speaker's decision, an agitaged Mr Deb first rushed to the well before reaching the Speaker's podium and thumping his desk violently and trying to snatch the mike from the Speaker creating an uprorious scene. He was also seen getting involved in the verbal duel with the Speaker for his demand.

However, soon the watch and ward staff of the House rushed in and took away Mr Deb from the Speaker's podium amid his protest and shouting anti-government slogans, while all other members watching silently.

Soon making a statement on the issue a visibly agitated Mr Halim described the incident as "disgraceful" and in total violation of parliamentary norms. He also urged the members to remain calm and behave properly in order to uphold the tradition of parliamentary democracy.

Later speaking to UNI at his chamber the Speaker termed the sudden outburst of Mr Deb as the "true reflection" of the main opposition party's utter frustration.

Terming the AITC member as "ignorant of parliamentary norms", Mr Halim said during the calling attention no single member was allowed to speak twice on the same issue. Moreover, the issue Mr Deb wanted to raise was only of acedemic interest and not about any serious and burning issue, the speaker said in support of his stance.

Incidentally today was the last day of the budget session of the newly constituted West Bengal assembly which began on June eleven.

UNI