West Bengal Governor Accuses Speaker of ‘Constitutional Impropriety’

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has accused the assembly Speaker Biman Bose of ‘constitutional impropriety’ after the latter administered oath to two legislators of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) despite the Governor authorizing the Deputy Speaker to officiate the ceremony. The development came after Governor Bose assigned the task to Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee, who declined, citing norms against the Deputy Speaker administering the oath in the presence of the Speaker. This act led to a confrontation between the Governor and the assembly, resulting in Speaker Bose administering the oath, concluding a month-long impasse. The oath ceremony, held during a special one-day session, saw the swearing-in of two newly elected MLAs – Rayat Hossain Sarkar and Sayantika Bandopadhyay. Despite Governor Bose’s directive to have the Deputy Speaker officiate, Speaker Bose took charge, leading to joyous ‘Jai Bangla’ chants by Trinamool members. Following the ceremony, the Governor expressed his discontent, asserting his authority and indicating a report to the President regarding ‘Constitutional impropriety.’ This event marked a culmination of the ongoing conflict between the Governor and the assembly, emphasizing the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions and norms in such ceremonial proceedings.