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Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh on Friday said he attended the orientation programme for MLAs organised by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly as it was his duty, but asserted that it was his personal decision whom to listen to during the event.
Speaking to reporters, Ghosh said the programme was attended by Om Birla, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. "This is an orientation program for MLAs organised by the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. It was my duty to attend... While attending the event was my duty, it is also my decision whom to listen to and whom not to," Ghosh said. He further alleged, "I respect the Lok Sabha Speaker, but he is not neutral... As for the Speaker of our state assembly, I respect the chair, but he appointed someone unethically as the Leader of the Opposition and has tried to arrange the opposition seating in a way that would make it easier for him to control the House; furthermore, the other day, he did not allow me to speak." Meanwhile, West Bengal Minister Arjun Singh welcomed the orientation programme, saying it would help first-time legislators understand Assembly procedures. "This is a welcome development. A lot of first-time MLAs have come in, and they need to learn the ropes--how to behave in the House, how to present their views, how to raise a Point of Order, and how to address matters during Zero Hour. This is entirely a learning process, and our party ensures that everyone receives top-notch training in these matters," Singh told reporters. (ANI)
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