Bengal govt. avoids conflict with Raj Bhavan over new MLA's oaths

Kolkata: Following recent controversies surrounding the oath ceremonies of newly elected legislators from Baranagar and Bhagawangola, the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal is taking a cautious approach to avoid any conflicts with Raj Bhavan for the swearing-in of four newly elected MLAs.

In a clean sweep, Trinamool Congress won all four constituencies in the Assembly bypolls, with results announced on Saturday.

State cabinet insiders revealed that the correct protocol will be meticulously followed in approaching Governor V. Ananda Bose to secure his approval for the oath ceremony of the newly elected MLAs: Madhuparna Thakur from Bagda, Supti Pandey from Maniktala, Krishnas Kalyani from Raiganj, and Dr. Mukut Mani Adhikari from Ranaghat-Dakshin.

A communiqué from the state Parliamentary Affairs department will be sent to the Governor's office this week, requesting him to either administer the oath ceremony personally or nominate someone for the task, according to a cabinet member who preferred to remain anonymous.

As per protocol, the initial communiqué regarding the oath ceremony of newly elected MLAs must originate from the office of the state Parliamentary Affairs Minister. However, in the previous cases of Sayantika Banerjee from Baranagar and Reyat Houssen Sarkar from Bhagawangola, the communiqué was sent from the office of the Assembly Speaker and the Assembly Secretary.

The state cabinet member added that the Governor's reaction will determine the next steps. If the Governor prolongs the process, the Speaker of the House, using his authority under Section 5 of Chapter 2 of the ‘Rules of Business’ of the state assembly, will administer the oath ceremony for the four newly elected MLAs during any forthcoming session of the House.

For Sayantika Banerjee and Reyat Houssen Sarkar, a special one-day assembly session was convened for the Speaker to administer their oaths. However, for the four newly elected MLAs, this special session will not be necessary as their oath ceremony can be conducted during the forthcoming monsoon session of the assembly, likely starting on July 22.

Uncertainties remain regarding the four elected MLAs' participation in House proceedings, in light of Article 193 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the Governor to impose financial penalties on newly elected MLAs participating in assembly proceedings or occupying their seats without the Governor's consent.

Source- IANS