Calcutta High Court declines interim order on West Bengal Assembly LoP appointment
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to pass an interim order on the decision of West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose to appoint Ritabrata Banerjee, a legislator from the breakaway Trinamool Congress (TMC) faction, as the Leader of Opposition (LoP).
The petition was filed by TMC MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, who challenged the Speaker's rejection of his name and the subsequent appointment of Banerjee as LoP. Chattopadhyay sought an interim order to stay the Speaker's decision pending final hearing.
Justice Krishna Rao, hearing the matter, refused to grant any interim relief. The court has directed that the next hearing will take place on July 28. All respondents in the petition have been asked to file their affidavits within three weeks.
The case concerns the recognition of the LoP in the West Bengal Assembly. The Speaker's decision has been contested by Chattopadhyay, who represents the faction of the TMC led by Mamata Banerjee. The breakaway group, also claiming allegiance to the party, has backed Banerjee's appointment.
The court's refusal to issue an interim order means that the current arrangement will continue until the next hearing. Legal experts note that the court is allowing the matter to be argued fully before making any determination.
