Thaindian News

Kolkata, May 30 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said she wanted true democracy and not “partycracy” in the assembly and urged newly-elected Speaker Biman Banerjee to give more importance to the opposition in running the house.

Delivering her maiden address in the assembly, Banerjee congratulated the new speaker on his unanimous election and hoped the new assembly would bring a new dawn of democracy in the state.

“The very fact that your election has been unanimous has raised the dignity and pride of the house. On behalf of all the 294 members, we extend out best wishes and congratulations to you.

“I hope the new assembly will bring a new dawn of democracy. Assembly is always the biggest temple, mosque and gurudwara of democracy,” she said.

The chief minister said government and the opposition have equal importance.

“This will only strengthen the democratic structure. We will always extend cooperation to you. Give more importance to opposition. If you feel any minister is not being able to perform, you please guide them and advise them.

“We don’t want partycracy but democracy,” she said, amidst thumping of desks by the treasury bench members.

Earlier, Biman Banerjee, a lawyer by profession, was unanimously elected the presiding officer of the house and ushered to his seat by Leader of the House Partha Chatterjee and Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra.

Congratulating the new speaker, Mishra said: “I believe you will perform your role responsibly.

“The house belongs to opposition. I am happy with what the CM has said. I think all rights and privileges of the opposition will be protected under your (Biman Banerjee’s) leadership.

Thanking the members for their congratulatory speeches, the speaker sought everybody’s cooperation to uphold the prestige and dignity of the house.