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HC Refuse to Change the Status Quo in the Bengal LoP row. (Image Internet)
Kolkata: In a significant development in the ongoing political dispute over the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post in the West Bengal Assembly, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to grant any interim relief to the petitioner challenging the appointment of Ritabrata Banerjee.
The court's decision means that the Speaker's order recognising Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition will continue to remain effective until further directions are issued.
The matter came up before Justice Krishna Rao, who made it clear that there would be no immediate change in the current arrangement. The court chose not to stay the Speaker's decision and instead directed both sides to complete the exchange of affidavits before the next hearing.
The respondents have been granted three weeks to submit their affidavit in opposition, while the petitioner will have two additional weeks to file a response.
After hearing preliminary arguments, the court fixed July 28 as the next date for consideration of the case. Until then, the status quo regarding the appointment will remain unchanged.
The decision provides temporary continuity in the Assembly's functioning while legal proceedings continue.
The challenge to Ritabrata Banerjee's appointment has attracted attention because of its political implications in West Bengal. The dispute centres on the Speaker's decision to recognise him as the Leader of Opposition, a position that carries constitutional and legislative significance.
With the High Court declining to intervene at this stage, the focus will now shift to the detailed legal arguments expected to be presented through affidavits before the next hearing.
The matter is likely to remain closely watched by political observers as well as party leaders ahead of the July 28 proceedings.
