TMC set to be main Opposition in Tripura

GUWAHATI: Woes of Congress in Tripura continue. The Speaker of the state legislative assembly, Ramendra Chandra Debnath, on Monday rejected the party’s plea to disqualify six dissident party MLAs who had joined Trinamool Congress (TMC).

These MLAs have been allowed to retain their membership. State Congress Chief Birajit Sinha sought disqualification of these MLAs. However, Speaker Debnath, after elaborate hearing, decided in favour of continuation of membership. Now Trinamool is set to become the main opposition party in the state.

Party supremo Mamata Banerjee early this month addressed a public rally in Agartala and vowed to end the Left Front’s rule in the state. Left Front is ruling Tripura since 1993. Speaker Debnath said that he arrived at the decision after consulting legal experts and examining documents submitted by both Congress and TMC.

Under the provision of the anti-defection law, the MLAs had made personal appearance in the office of the Speaker and verified their signatures. In the 60-member assembly, Congress had 10 MLAs. Problem started for the grand old party after Congress had stitched alliance with Left Front for the West Bengal assembly polls. Congress MLAs in Tripura, led by leader of the opposition Sudip Roy Barman, revolted against the party high command over the alliance.

They felt that this move will impact assembly polls in Tripura in 2018 where Left parties and Congress are bitter rivals.