India: TMC, BJP Politicians Injured in Bengal State Assembly Scuffle Over Birbhum Killings

There have been various violent incidents between supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal since the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool swept state polls in 2021. This is TMC's third consecutive term as the ruling party in the state.

Several lawmakers were left injured in India's West Bengal legislative assembly on Monday when a scuffle broke out between members of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its archrival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the latter sought a discussion about killings in the Birbhum district.

The melee in the state assembly erupted after BJP legislators demanded the resignation of State Chief Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the portfolio of the state's Home Ministry, over the recent violence in the village of Bogtui.

The BJP lawmakers went into the well of the state assembly and chanted slogans against the state chief.

Speaker of the legislative assembly Biman Banerjee repeatedly asked the lawmakers to take their seats, but they continued chanting slogans. Following the sloganeering, TMC legislators also came into the well and became engaged in an altercation with the opposition.

Following the incident, the BJP's members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) walked out, saying that their lawmakers had been manhandled by TMC politicians on the floor of the house.

Five BJP legislators -- Suvendu Adhikari, Manoj Tigga, Narahari Mahato, Shankar Ghosh, and Dipak Barman -- were suspended for their alleged involvement in the scuffle inside the assembly.

Both parties alleged that their lawmakers were beaten up.

Sharing a video appearing to show the scuffle between the lawmakers, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that "BJP MLAs were assaulted by TMC MLAs when they were demanding a discussion on the Rampurhat massacre".

Absolute pandemonium in the West Bengal Assembly. After Bengal Governor, TMC MLAs now assault BJP MLAs, including Chief Whip Manoj Tigga, as they were demanding a discussion on the Rampurhat massacre on the floor of the house.

What is Mamata Banerjee trying to hide? pic.twitter.com/umyJhp0jnE

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 28, 2022

BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh accused the TMC of causing the ruckus.

BJP's B L Santhosh slams TMC for ruckus in West Bengal state assembly.

© Photo : Twitter/@blsanthosh

Party’s spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed TMC and termed it as “Talibani Mindset Culture”.

Talibani Mindset Culture= TMC

First they allowed Birbhum massacre
Then they tried to cover it up
When BJP asked for discussion in West Bengal Assembly TMC resorts to violence inside the Assembly - they tore clothes of BJP MLAs

What is Nir-Mamata didi trying to hide ! pic.twitter.com/ilXGxOcEMu

— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) March 28, 2022

TMC also alleged that BJP lawmakers attacked security personnel of the assembly.

TMC legislator Asit Majumdar was left with a broken nose after getting involved in the clash, and was taken to a local hospital.

Majumdar alleged that the leader of the opposition, BJP legislator Suvendu Adhikari, punched him.

TMC MLAs got violent in Bengal assembly with BJP MLAs and then this happened 👇

"Suvendu Adhikari punched me " -- Asit Majumdar, TMC 😭😭😂 pic.twitter.com/YT7CNRSXi6

— BALA (@erbmjha) March 28, 2022

TMC member accuses BJP of resorting to hooliganism in West Bengal state assembly.

© Photo : Twitter/@SR_Tmc007

What is the Birbhum Incident?

Eight people in the village of Bogtui were killed after their houses were set on fire on 22 March.

The incident is alleged to be retaliation after a local TMC politician, Bhadu Sheikh, was killed in a bomb attack. Following an intervention by the Calcutta High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the killings.

TMC has accused the BJP of trying to influence the probe by the CBI.

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