LS Speaker gave Abhishek Banerjee 2-hour notice amid ED questioning
What's the story
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will hear both sides of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on a merger request by a rebel faction. The decision comes after a standoff over a summons issued to TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. On June 15, at 2:00pm, the Speaker's office emailed Banerjee asking him to meet in Delhi by 4:00pm the same day, The Economic Times reported, citing sources. However, he was under Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioning at the time.
Communication gap
TMC MP Kirti Azad informs Speaker's office
Within an hour of sending the email, the Speaker's office called TMC MP Kirti Azad to inform him about the meeting. Azad then visited the Speaker's Office in person to inform them of Banerjee's unavailability due to ED questioning. He requested a rescheduled meeting on behalf of Banerjee, who intends to "cooperate fully" with proceedings.
Pending decision
New legal-political battle within TMC
The Speaker is now expected to decide on the merger request of the rebel faction. This development has sparked a new legal and political battle within TMC. While the rebels want their move recognized, TMC leadership is working to protect its members and contest the request's validity. Banerjee was questioned for over 11 hours by the ED on Monday, in connection with a money laundering probe related to alleged irregularities in primary school teacher recruitment.