The Tripura Legislative Assembly witnessed a major political standoff on Wednesday as the opposition CPI(M) announced a boycott of the remaining budget session days, alleging Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen’s bias toward the ruling BJP government.

Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury accused the Speaker of suppressing opposition voices and favoring the ruling party. 

Speaking to reporters at the Assembly premises, Chaudhury declared, “The sanctity of this House has been compromised. Democracy is under attack.”

The controversy erupted following a heated debate on March 24 over financial irregularities allegedly involving government officials and political figures. During the discussion, Chaudhury raised concerns over what he termed a “cut-money culture” within the administration. However, his remarks triggered a strong reaction from Parliamentary Minister Ratan Lal Nath, leading to an exchange of sharp words.

Matters escalated when Chaudhury accused Nath of making a caste-based remark during the session. He submitted a notice of rights violation to the Speaker, but it was rejected on procedural grounds, citing a similar notice filed by the Minister himself. 

The CPI(M) took strong objection to the decision, calling it an attempt to shield the ruling party from scrutiny.

“The Speaker is supposed to be impartial, but instead, he is siding with the government. He has reduced the Assembly to a mere tool of the ruling party,” Chaudhury alleged.

Amid the controversy, CPI(M) legislators had been actively raising public issues in the Assembly for the past three days. However, with their voices allegedly stifled, the party chose to stage a boycott in protest. “We will not sit idle while democracy is being stifled,” Chaudhury asserted.