BJP MLAs forced out as Mamata Banerjee says Bengalis targeted

Kolkata: Chaos erupted in the state assembly as BJP MLAs shouted slogans and tore papers during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's speech on atrocities against Bengali-speaking migrants. The uproar lasted over two hours, with marshals dragging out five opposition MLAs - chief whip Shankar Ghosh, Ashok Dinda, Agnimitra Paul, Mihir Goswami and Bankim Ghosh - after the Speaker suspended them. A furious Banerjee warned she would reduce BJP to zero seats in the next assembly polls.

Shankar Ghosh was hospitalised, while Bankim Ghosh alleged marshals punched him in the chest despite his heart condition and stents. Some marshals were also injured, sources said. BJP MLAs kept up their protest from 1.50 pm until the session ended at 4 pm.

Banerjee's address came on the final day of the assembly's special session. On Tuesday, the state government had moved a resolution condemning atrocities against Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states. The debate, which began on September 1, concluded on Thursday with its passage. The resolution was moved by parliamentary affairs minister Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay under Rule 169.

"They are anti-Bengali. Throwing papers in the Assembly is unparliamentary, undemocratic and illegal. BJP is the country's shame, committing atrocities on the Bengali language. A day will come when the people of Bengal will no longer want to see a single BJP leader here - all of them will lose. You cannot win by torturing our people. Even our MLAs and MPs are attacked using BSF and CISF in Parliament," Banerjee said.

BJP MLAs shouted 'Trinamool chor, Godi chhor' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai.' Agnimitra Paul protested LoP Suvendu Adhikari's suspension, questioning why no action was taken against minister Bratya Basu for his remarks on the Army. The Speaker suspended Paul and ordered marshals to escort her out. Despite repeated warnings, BJP MLAs continued disrupting proceedings and were suspended one after another, with marshals carrying them out of the House. In addition to the five MLAs suspended on Thursday, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had been suspended on Tuesday. "We have informed JP Nadda about the situation and have been asked to fight the Trinamool," Adhikari said.

Targeting the PM, Banerjee said: "Sometimes he is at the feet of the US, sometimes Russia, China or Israel. By doing this, he has sold away the country and its dignity."