KOLKATA: The West Bengal Legislative Assembly descended into pandemonium on Thursday, during a special session, resulting in the suspension of five Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs. The uproar erupted as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attempted to deliver a speech on a resolution addressing alleged atrocities against Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states.

The chaos began when BJP legislators, led by Chief Whip Shankar Ghosh, protested the earlier suspension of Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on September 2. Raising slogans such as “Chor Chor” (thieves), the BJP MLAs disrupted Banerjee’s address, demanding an explanation for Adhikari’s suspension. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) retaliated with chants of “Joy Bangla” and “Vote Chor BJP,” escalating tensions in the House.

Speaker Biman Banerjee suspended Shankar Ghosh for disorderly conduct, followed by MLAs Agnimitra Paul, Mihir Goswami, Ashok Dinda, and Bankim Ghosh, all within two hours. When Ghosh and Goswami refused to leave, marshals forcibly removed them, leading to reports of Ghosh’s health deteriorating, requiring hospitalization. The BJP alleged that water bottles were thrown at their members from the treasury benches, further intensifying the confrontation.

Mamata Banerjee condemned the BJP’s actions, accusing them of derailing discussions on Bengali migrant issues and promoting “Bengali-phobia.” She stated, “I am not against Hindi, but the BJP is anti-Bengali,” and vowed to reduce the BJP’s influence in Bengal to zero. Banerjee pressed on with her speech 

Despite the din,  pausing frequently as both sides stormed the Well of the House. At one point, she left her chair to scold her own party colleagues, Humayun Kabir and Nirmal Ghosh, for charging toward the opposition benches. The session, originally scheduled for 90 minutes, extended nearly three hours due to the disruptions, with Banerjee pausing her speech multiple times to address the chaos.

BJP MLA Ashok Dinda, speaking outside the Assembly, defended their protest, stating, “Pisi (Mamata Banerjee) and Bhaipo (Abhishek Banerjee) are thieves, and they will have to answer for suspending our leader.” The TMC accused the BJP of dishonoring the House, while the Speaker expressed displeasure, noting the opposition’s persistent disruptions.