By Smritika Banerjee
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly experienced a tumultuous day on Thursday, marked by unprecedented scenes of disorder and chaos. Manoj Tigga of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), The top whip of the opposition, was forcibly removed from the chamber as a result of the escalation.The disruptions stemmed from BJP members protesting against what they alleged was the misrepresentation of facts by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The minister was physically dragged out by marshals, highlighting the tense and voltaire atmosphere within the legislative proceeding.
The assembly session descended into chaos amid heated exchanges over the alleged post-poll violence in the state. When BJP MLAs strongly objected to remarks made by Chandrima Bhattacharya, the Minister of State for Heath, on the delicate subject, tensions erupted. Lawmakers from both sides argued angrily and shouted slogans, which rapidly intensified the conflict. The already heated mood in the parliament was further heightened when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was observed yelling “vote chor” (vote thief) at the opposition benches during the chaos.
Today, in a dramatic development, Manoj Tigga, the BJP’s chief whip, was physically removed from the legislative assembly amid tense proceedings. Despite repeated calls for order, the assembly session descended into chaos, prompting marshals to intervene and escort Tigga out of the chamber. Marshal’s bodily carried out Tigga was captured in a video which has since gone viral.
The action was denounced by the BJP, who called it a violation and undemocratic repression of opposition. Suvrat Thakur, a BJP leader, called the episode “murder undemocratic,” denouncing the way the assembly’s order was upheld. BJP MLAs refused to attend the rest of the session in protest over the incident, staging a walkout. Later, they spoke to the media, restating their claims of widespread violence in the gathering and urging an impartial inquiry into what transpired.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC), however, accused the BJP of deliberately provoking disturbances to disrupt legislative proceedings and gain political advantage. This situation portrays the intensifying political tensions and animosity between the two major parties in
West Bengal, reflecting the volatile nature of the state’s legislative environment. The visual of a chief whip being forcibly removed serves as a stark reminder of the fragile and confrontational political climate prevailing in the region.