By TC News Desk
Agartala, 27th March 2025: A heated exchange erupted in the Tripura Legislative Assembly on Thursday as ruling BJP and opposition Congress MLAs debated the absence of principal opposition party CPIM, which boycotted the ongoing Budget session. Congress demanded Speaker Biswabandhu Sen’s intervention to bring the Left party back to the House.
Following the Question Hour, Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy voiced concern over the CPIM’s absence, stating, “It is not appropriate for the House to function without the principal opposition. While I appreciate Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha’s appeal, I urge the Speaker to step in and resolve the matter.”
The CPIM announced its boycott on Wednesday, accusing Speaker Sen of bias after he rejected a privilege motion moved by Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury against Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath for an alleged racial remark. The Speaker had dismissed the motion, citing a similar motion already submitted by Minister Nath.
Chief Minister Manik Saha urged the CPIM to return to the Assembly, with Speaker Sen reinforcing that the decision ultimately rested with the LoP. “The Chief Minister, as Leader of the House, has already appealed to them. Now, it is up to Jitendra Chaudhury to decide,” said the Speaker.
Defending the Speaker’s decision, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath accused the LoP of being disrespectful. “The Leader of the House has already made the appeal—that is the final call. Why hasn’t Congress urged CPIM to return? Those who repeat the same mistakes every day are Communists,” Nath remarked.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, however, insisted that the Speaker, as the custodian of the Assembly, should take the initiative by inviting the LoP to his chamber for discussions.
