Swapan Dasgupta resigns from Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta has resigned from the House amid criticism from the opposition parties over his candidature to contest Assembly elections in West Bengal on a BJP ticket, Rajya Sabha, news agency ANI reported. His resignation has been sent to the Chairman of the House. The Chairman is yet to be accepted.
Dasgupta, well-known for writing columns in English dailies, was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. The BJP has fielded him from Tarakeshwar seat in Hooghly district.
Opposition parties, especially the Trinamool Congress, was demanding disqualification of Dasgupta from Rajya Sabha’s membership.The TMC cited the 10th Schedule of the Constitution to seek Dasgupta’s disqualification. The 10th Schedule of the Constitution says that a nominated Rajya Sabha member stands to be disqualified if he or she joins any political party.
“If he (Dasgupta) files nomination as a BJP candidate, he should be disqualified according to the Constitution’s 10th Schedule,” TMC leader Mahua Moitra tweeted.
In April 2016, Dasgupta was nominated by then President Pranab Mukherjee to the Rajya Sabha. he was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2015.
BENGAL POLLS 2021 FULL COVERAGE
READ MORE: Mamata hid criminal cases in poll document? Suvendu Adhikari claims flaws in Bengal CM’s affidavit
