Calcutta High Court Questions Speaker's Appointment of Rebel LoP

The Calcutta High Court examined the legality of West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose's decision to recognize Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP). Justice Krishna Rao questioned whether a Speaker can recognize a rebel leader in this role without the consent of their political party, specifically noting that Banerjee had been expelled from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The TMC challenged the appointment in a petition seeking an interim stay, arguing that the Speaker violated the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The party contends that the LoP must represent the political party's views and noted that the Speaker ignored the party's official nomination of 10-time MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. The Speaker's decision was based on support from 59 rebel MLAs.

Representing the State, Additional Advocate General Bilwadal Bhattacharya requested additional time to file an affidavit and provide Assembly records. The court declined to provide immediate relief and scheduled the next hearing for June 16.