Date:21/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/21/stories/2004122105601100.htm

National

Buddhadeb Government faces no trust move

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA, DEC. 20. A motion of no-confidence against the West Bengal Government, moved by the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and Trinamool Congress leader, Pankaj Banerjee, was admitted by the Speaker, Hasim Abdul Halim, here today. The motion is to be discussed on December 23.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Banerjee said that the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Atish Sinha, had assured him that "their members would stand by us when the motion is debated." The Congress, however, is not a signatory to the motion.

"The motion has been necessitated because of the failure of the Left Front Government in all fronts, including in ensuring law and order, setting up proper health infrastructure and for throwing the education system into jeopardy," Mr. Banerjee said.

The Assembly witnessed pandemonium today when some Trinamool members stormed into the well and heckled the Law Minister, Nisith Adhikary, when he rose to answer a question. The Trinamool MLAs, one of whom snatched some papers from the Minister's desk, were protesting against the proposed West Bengal Pre-litigation Conciliation Board Bill, 2004. They demanded the withdrawal of the Bill even as those from the Treasury Benches surrounded the Minister to protect him. The Bill was subsequently referred to the Assembly Standing Committee, which returned it to the House for a detailed discussion after it failed to reach a consensus over its contents.

The Bill is likely to be taken up for discussion on December 24.

The Trinamool chief, Mamata Banerjee, plans to court arrest on December 22 in protest against the Bill.

The party has also decided against endorsing the all-party resolution "as it stands" on the right to strike, which is to be taken up for debate tomorrow.