TMC MP Kirti Azad Demands Funds for West Bengal and Protests Over Pro-tem Speaker Appointment
New Delhi [India], June 24: Cricketer-turned-politician and now Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kirti Azad, elected from the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat, has demanded Rs. 1,64,000 crores from the central government, allegedly due to West Bengal since 2021. Speaking at the parliament premises, Azad emphasized the need to address the injustices faced by West Bengal and secure the state’s rightful share of funds.
Meanwhile, a protest erupted in Parliament over the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker. INDIA bloc leaders, including TMC MPs Kalyan Banerjee, Sudip Bandhopadhyay, and Sougata Roy, protested by holding copies of the Constitution. Kalyan Banerjee stated, ‘We are protesting because the provisions of the Constitution have been violated by the Narendra Modi government.’
Sudip Bandhopadhyay added, ‘Our demand is to protect the constitution of the country. Agreements happen between India and Bangladesh without consulting the West Bengal government.’
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi proposed K Suresh for the role of Pro-tem Speaker, criticizing the ruling party for neglecting the Dalit community. Despite the protests, seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was sworn in as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, with the oath administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
