Trinamool-CPM confrontation in House over Bengal killings

NEW DELHI: The bitter Trinamool Congress-CPM confrontation found its echo in the Lok Sabha, yet again, on Monday afternoon, with angry Trinamool Congress members forcing the House to be adjourned in protest against the continued killings of party supporters in West Bengal.

CPM veteran Basudeb Acharia, who was slated to kick off the discussion under Rule 193 on the spurt in prices of essential commodities, found his attempts thwarted twice by the belligerent Trinamool Congress members.

Mr Acharia found his voice drowned by noisy Trinamool Congress led by Mr Sudip Bandopadhyaya and Mr Suvendu Adhikary, who rushed to the edge of the well trying to draw the House���s attention over the 'relentless killing' of Trinamool workers in West Bengal. Failing to restore order, deputy Speaker Karia Munda adjourned the proceedings for an hour.

After the House reassembled at 3 pm, the deputy Speaker allowed Mr Bandopadhyaya to make his point, drawing howls of protest from CPM members. "Minorities, SCs, STs and women are being butchered in West Bengal at the hands of CPM goons. The central government cannot remain a mute spectator to the killings, and should rise to the occasion. CPM is a believer in violence and has been killing our party supporters, all of them hailing from the minority, SC and ST communities," he said amidst protests from CPM members. "The Centre should take action under Article 355 and follow it up by slapping Article 356 in the state," he added.

This sparked off uproarious scenes, with CPM members protesting the chair's decision to ask the Trinamool Congress member to make his point when Mr Acharia had already been called.

"The voice of the opposition is being throttled in the state. After their defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, CPM has become more arrogant, and has taken recourse to wanton killings of minorities, SC, STs and women. We want central intervention. CPM should be de-recognised as a party," Mr Bandopadhyaya continued.

The Trinamool Congress leader sat down after making his short speech, but soon BSP members took over, seeking the government's clarification on the proposal to set up the Bundelkhand Development Authority. The discussion on price-rise, in the process, became a casualty.

Speaking to newspersons later in the day, BJP deputy leader Sushma Swaraj blamed the government for the failure to take up the discussion on such a sensitive issue as price-rise.