Kolkata: Rathindranath Bose was elected West Bengal Assembly Speaker on Friday unanimously while the CM called for “Constructive Opposition” and said the "House belongs to the opposition".
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari thanked both treasury and opposition benches after the Assembly Speaker was elected unanimously, calling it a positive beginning for the new legislative term.
Addressing the House, the Chief Minister said he hoped the new Assembly would fulfill the expectations of the people of West Bengal and function in line with democratic and parliamentary traditions.
“We want a new era to begin in the Assembly. " All Legislators must participate actively, present their views in debates and ensure that democratic traditions are respected,” he said.
CM stressed that the presence of MLAs and strong opposition participation is essential for a healthy democracy.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for transparency in legislative functioning and said arrangements would be made for live telecast of Assembly proceedings, including budget discussions and mentions, so that people, who have chosen their representatives, can closely monitor the performance of their elected legislator.
Calling for a “constructive opposition,” he said the government did not want a situation where the Leader of the Opposition remained outside the House for 11 months. “We want accountability, freedom of expression and constitutional values to guide the functioning of this Assembly,” he stated.
The Chief Minister further assured that the dignity and authority of the Speaker’s chair would be fully respected by the government and members of the House.
The Speaker said the Assembly session would formally begin with the Governor’s address on June 8 and that various committees, including business advisory committees, would be constituted before that.
Referring to the possibility of seat increases after delimitation, he also indicated that the government may explore the construction of a new Assembly building in the future.
“The House belongs to the opposition,” he remarked, assuring that opposition parties would get adequate opportunities to speak during discussions.
In another significant announcement, the Chief Minister said opposition MLAs would be free to meet ministers regarding public issues irrespective of party affiliation. “Just as BJP governments function in 21 states, we too want to run the government in a democratic and accessible manner,” he added.
