West Bengal assembly in uproar: Mamata accuses BJP of linguistic bias, opposition MLAs suspended

The West Bengal Assembly witnessed intense scenes on Thursday as members of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP engaged in a noisy confrontation. The dispute erupted during a discussion on a government resolution highlighting alleged atrocities against Bengali migrants.

The uproar began when chief minister Mamata Banerjee attempted to speak on the motion. BJP legislators interrupted proceedings with slogans and objected to the earlier suspension of Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari. Their protests prompted Speaker's action, resulting in multiple BJP MLAs being suspended and escorted out of the chamber.

Banerjee accused the BJP of fostering hostility toward Bengali-speaking people. "I condemn their persecution of Bengalis. The time will come when not a single BJP MLA will remain in Bengal," she said, branding the opposition's stance as "linguistic terror." She further alleged that BJP was obstructing debate on violence faced by migrant workers in BJP-ruled states.

The chief minister escalated her attack, calling BJP a "party of vote thieves" and "the biggest dacoit party," while asserting that the people of Bengal would ultimately reject them. Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to suppress discussions to hide uncomfortable truths about migrant issues. "Why is the BJP not allowing me to speak in this House?" she asked amid ongoing slogan-shouting from opposition benches.

The dramatic events underscored the deep political hostility between the ruling TMC and the BJP, with language and regional identity once again becoming flashpoints in Bengal's volatile political arena.