Kolkata: In a huge setback for former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to pass any interim order
against Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose’s decision to recognise expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition.
Justice Krishna Rao was hearing the plea filed by senior TMC leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, who is part of the Mamata Banerjee camp. The decision came at time when the party is struggling with internal conflicts and rebels joining Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The TMC had earlier decided to challenge Ritabrata Banerjee’s recognition as the LoP.
HC lists July 28 as next date of hearing
“The interim order is refused,” the court said as per Bar and Bench. During the hearing, the court also asked respondents to file their response within 21 days. It also listed July 28 as the next date of hearing.
After the TMC’s shocking defeat in the Assembly polls on My 4, the TMC was to nominate Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the LoP. The decision was then communicated to the Speaker’s office. However, the speaker asked for a resolution and the minutes of the meeting. The party again met on May 19. and forwarded an attendance sheet to the Speaker.
What is the whole matter?
The speaker, reportedly, ignored the communication and recognised rebel TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee as LoP, based on support extended to him by the rebel TMC leaders. The decision was then challenged by Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay at the High Court.
The Court on June 17 said that the speaker seemed to have been “keen” to accept TMC rebels’ decision to appoint their LoP. The court also rejected the argument that Ritabrata Banerjee’s expulsion from TMC was inconsequential since it was the party’s internal matter.
“You cannot say no consequences once one party is telling that it is an expelled member and it has been intimated to the Speaker, and (then) the Speaker is appointing the same person,” the court was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
