Abhishek Banerjee (PTI image)
NEW DELHI: On a day All India Trinamool Congress chose not to sign the opposition’s notice of a resolution for removal of Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, its Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee said his party MPs had “no problem” signing the notice but wanted the opposition to first write to Birla with their grievances such as the suspension of eight opposition MPs and give him a chance to take corrective action.“If the Speaker does not act or fails to provide satisfactory responses, a no-confidence motion can be brought after waiting for three days following the sending of the letter. All 28 AITC MPs will sign it. If it is brought today, AITC will maintain its stand that the letter should be sent first,” said Banerjee, TMC’s national general secretary, while speaking to media persons in Parliament complex earlier in the day.Sticking to the position the TMC MPs did not sign the notice submitted to the secretary general of Lok sabha by the opposition later in the day. However, TMC has kept its options open as far as deciding on its stand on supporting the oppostion’s motion if and when it is admitted.Asserting that the TMC believes in “Parliament, in debate, and in accountability”, Banerjee said, “My stand is we should be tolerant. Otherwise, what is the difference between us and the BJP? Instead of trying to flex our muscles, we want to give an opportunity to the Chair.”The TMC’s stand is seen to be politically strategic, meant to reinforce its distinct position within the INDIA alliance steered by the Congress. Also this gains significance as it comes ahead of polls in West Bengal where the TMC has ruled out any alliance with the Congress, with party chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee making it clear that her party will fight it alone against the BJP and others.On being asked about whether TMC has any plans to bring an impeachment motion against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee highlighted that his party did not plan on bringing an impeachment motion against Gyanesh Kumar at the very beginning. He said they first explored all avenues by repeatedly reaching out to the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision but got no response from EC. “Impeachment is the last resort,” he asserted.Banerjee last week called for the impeachment of CEC and said she was willing to join hands with the Congress and other opposition parties to rally support on the issue.
