Discussion on nuke deal in House tomorrow; Oppostion protests

Kolkata, Jul 16 (UNI) Taking exception to a discussion on the Indo-US nuclear deal in the West Bengal Assembly tomorrow, ahead of the July 22 trust vote in Parliament, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TC) today walked out of the House, branding the Speaker's decision as ''unconventional and unethical.'' Both the Opposition parties observed that as the Lok Sabha would witness the ''much talked about'' floor test on the issue on Tuesday, any debate on the matter in any Assembly across the country was ''unconstitional''.

Earlier, Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim ruled that a discussion on the subject would be held in the House tomorrow under 185 Motion.

Opposition leader Partha Chatterjee said, ''The very important Budget session is debating proposals for various departments and hence no discussion should take place in the House stalling the proceedings.'' He said his party -- the TC -- would not participate in the discussion.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Manas Bhuniya said, ''When the entire country as well as the international community is looking forward to the trust vote, to be moved by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Lok Sabha on July 22, no platform is authorised to have any discussion on the issue.'' Toeing the line of the TC, Mr Bhuniya said his party would skip the discussion.

Mr Halim, however, opined that any discussion could take place in the House under 185 Motion.

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