The Trinamool Congress on Monday demanded curtailing the second part of the Budget session, citing the upcoming assembly elections in several States, including West Bengal.
In letters addressed to both Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, the TMC pointed out the 2011 and 2008 precedent, when the session was similarly curtailed.
In a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, TMC national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O'Brien said due to the polls, MPs of his party would not be able to attend the Parliament session. He cited the example of the 222nd session which commenced on February 21, 2011, and was scheduled to conclude on April 21, 2011. However, due to state assembly elections in five states -- Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the House was adjourned sine die on March 25, 2011.
The second instance he provided was the 214th session which commenced on October 17, 2008, and was adjourned early on October 24, 2008, to meet again on 10 December 2008. The session, as per the original schedule, was to continue up to November 21, 2008. However, due to upcoming state assembly elections in some states, the House was adjourned till December 10, 2008. "I am optimistic you will consider this proposal of ours," the TMC leader said.
Party's floor leader in Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandhopadhyay has also written a similar letter to the Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla.
The government meanwhile has already started reaching out to the opposition parties seeking to close the session early. A section of Congress supports the demand including West Bengal PCC president Adhhir Ranjan Chaudhury, but the rest of the party feel that it will send a wrong message.
