একদিনের জন্য সাসপেন্ড তৃণমূল বিধায়ক কুণাল ঘোষ; অসভ্যতা বললেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী, তীব্র প্রতিক্রিয়া মমতা ও অভিষেকের

Kunal Ghosh Suspended for a Day After West Bengal Assembly Uproar; Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee Condemn Incident

SPT News Desk | Sangbad Prabhakar Times

A major political controversy erupted in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Wednesday after Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Kunal Ghosh was suspended for one day following a heated confrontation inside the House. The incident involved protests on the Assembly floor, repeated warnings from the Speaker, and the alleged forcible removal of the MLA by marshals.

The episode triggered sharp political reactions from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, and the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, each offering differing interpretations of what transpired.

What happened in the Assembly?

According to Assembly proceedings, Opposition Chief Whip Akharuzzaman was speaking during a debate when Kunal Ghosh allegedly interrupted him and objected to his remarks. The exchange quickly escalated, leading to loud protests from members across party lines.

Speaker Rathinath Bose repeatedly asked Ghosh to return to his seat and warned him of disciplinary action. When he continued protesting near the well of the House, marshals were called in and he was escorted out of the chamber.

Industry Minister Tapas Roy then moved a proposal under Rule 348(2) seeking Ghosh’s suspension for the remainder of the session. However, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari intervened and suggested that a full-session suspension was unnecessary. The House eventually approved a one-day suspension.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s reaction

Condemning the disruption, the Chief Minister said: “I have never seen such unruly behaviour in the Assembly before. Akharuzzaman was a minister earlier, and there was an attempt to physically intimidate him. I strongly condemn this incident.”

Kunal Ghosh’s statement

In a Facebook post after his suspension, Kunal Ghosh claimed he was being deliberately prevented from speaking on important issues, including the Home Department budget debate.

He wrote that although his party had submitted his name as a speaker, it was allegedly removed by Akharuzzaman, whom he described as a Speaker-backed Opposition Chief Whip.

According to Ghosh: “When the person who removed my name stood up to speak, I went to ask why I was not being allowed to speak. After that, repression began. Marshals removed me and I was suspended for the day.”

He further alleged that the BJP wanted a “tamed opposition” and that his voice was being silenced because he intended to speak on law-and-order issues.

Ghosh also claimed that TMC legislators staged a walkout after his suspension and later addressed the media.

Mamata Banerjee condemns the suspension

TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee issued a strong statement on Facebook, calling the incident “barbaric” and accusing the government of trying to suppress a genuine opposition voice.

She said: “A legislator was physically manhandled and suspended simply for trying to speak. This is an attempt to silence dissent.”

Mamata alleged that Ghosh had been denied opportunities to participate in key debates, including discussions on the anti-goonda bill and the Home budget.

She added: “If a legislator can be treated this way inside the Assembly, it raises serious questions about the state of democracy in Bengal. TMC cannot be silenced through intimidation.”

Abhishek Banerjee’s response

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also condemned the alleged use of force inside the Assembly.

In his statement, he said: “The manner in which Kunal Ghosh was allegedly removed from the Assembly deserves strong condemnation. In a democracy, the right to express dissent is constitutionally protected.”

He argued that the Assembly should remain a forum for debate, reason, and democratic values, not for physical coercion.

Abhishek further said: “Such treatment of an elected representative not only affects his personal dignity but also raises questions about the dignity of democratic institutions.”

Political fallout

The incident led to protests from both TMC and BJP legislators, with members from each side accusing the other of undermining democratic norms.

The controversy has now opened a broader debate on:

• the rights of legislators to participate in Assembly debates,

• the role of the Speaker in selecting speakers,

• and the use of marshals in maintaining order inside the House.

While the ruling side has defended the disciplinary action as necessary to maintain decorum, TMC leaders have portrayed it as an attempt to curb dissenting voices within the legislature.

The developments are expected to intensify political tensions in West Bengal in the coming days.