Kolkata, June 26: West Bengal Assembly Speaker H A Halim today criticised the Trinamool Congress, the main opposition party in the state, as "being devoid of principles" as its legislators were drawing allowances and railway coupons, while boycotting the extended budget session of the house. "Trinamool MLAs, during their boycott are collecting railway coupons, drawing allowances, booking for stay at Banga Bhavan in New Delhi, besides enjoying all facilities of members, save doing their duty as people's representatives," the Speaker told newspersons at his chamber on the opening day of the extended budget session.


The TC is boycotting the session to protest "electoral malpractices" in the recent panchayat polls, bypolls and municipal elections in the state.


Halim said that the party's boycott decision had no relation to the assembly. "It was ironic that the party was alleging electoral malpractices in the panchayats, while their own elected members were busy forming new boards and electing pradhans."

Halim denied allegations, carried by a private TV channel, that he did not attach any importance to opposition members in the house, particularly TC. "The allegations are baseless."

Bureau Report