New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the West Bengal government to ensure that Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra receives the necessary cooperation from local authorities and police when visiting her Krishnanagar constituency, urging the state to make appropriate arrangements ahead of the Durga Puja and Diwali festivities.
Moitra, who represents Krishnanagar in the Lok Sabha, moved the Supreme Court seeking guidelines to ensure that MPs receive the cooperation of local authorities and police while visiting their constituencies and carrying out development works under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme. The plea followed a series of incidents that she alleged had impeded her ability to discharge her responsibilities as an elected representative. The letter also stated that such accommodation would depend on the overall situation prevailing at the time.
One of the key grievances concerned her eviction from the Nadia Circuit House on the night of August 14, when, according to her petition, a large crowd had gathered outside the premises, abusing and threatening her, while her requests for police assistance went unanswered. The episode was followed by a September 1 communication from the Nadia district administration requiring MPs and MLAs to give advance notice of at least three to four days before seeking accommodation in government guest houses. On October 1, the Supreme Court had sought responses from the West Bengal government and the Centre on Moitra’s plea, expressing concern over the district administration’s requirement that an MP inform it three days in advance before visiting the area and accessing the Circuit House.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi told solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, that while the state could take time to respond to Moitra’s petition, the MP should not face difficulties in visiting her constituency in the meantime. “You take your time to respond but if the MP wants to visit her constituency, let there be necessary arrangements,” said the bench, following which Mehta agreed to return on Friday with a statement on the arrangements that could be made.
“Let this matter be taken up tomorrow,” said Mehta, and posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.
