No protest in West Bengal assembly premises without my permission: Speaker

KOLKATA: West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee has said political agitation and demonstrations in the assembly premises cannot be held henceforth without his permission. The decision came on a day BJP MLAs led by Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari 'purified' the base of a BR Ambedkar statue with 'Gangajal'.

The 'purification' was held at the same venue where Trinamool MLAs, including chief minister Mamata Banerjee, sat on a 3-day protest over the Centre cutting off funds for rural unemployment wages, triggering a fresh tussle between BJP and AITC.

"Members cannot shout slogans, undertake demonstration or procession within the precincts of the House. The members of the Opposition legislature party were seen near the BR Ambedkar statue. I have directed marshals to take appropriate steps. After working hours, no one will stay inside assembly premises. The National Anthem was dishonoured. The situation became so tense that there was a possibility of breakdown of law and order in the assembly premises," the Speaker said. "I have given an order that my permission should be taken if someone wants to organise any protest, in the interest of maintaining peace and tranquillity inside the premises of the assembly."