Chatterjee, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in July 2022 in connection with the high-profile school-job scam, remains suspended from the TMC. This has raised questions about his seating arrangements and role in the Assembly. Traditionally, Chatterjee had been allotted a seat next to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Assembly, a position now unavailable to him due to his suspension. Sources within the Assembly suggested that he may be seated next to ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui, though a final decision on his seating arrangement has yet to be confirmed.
Political observers have been quick to speculate whether Chatterjee’s re-entry into the legislative session signifies a shift in the political dynamics of West Bengal. “Will his return suggest a new political alignment or faction within the Assembly?” said one source. Opposition leaders have also raised questions about his status in the Assembly, given his suspended status in the ruling party. They questioned whether he would receive any special treatment or be treated as an ordinary legislator.
Despite these questions, Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay clarified on Wednesday that Chatterjee remains a legitimate member of the legislature. “He is still a legislator, and if he wishes to attend the winter session, arrangements will be made for him,” Bandopadhyay stated. He further emphasised that Chatterjee would not be afforded any special privileges, unlike his past experience as a high-ranking minister. “He will be treated just like any other MLA in the Assembly,” Bandopadhyay added, noting that no separate room would be provided to Chatterjee within the Assembly premises.
As an independent legislator, Chatterjee’s new seat will be placed neither among the Treasury Benches nor in the Opposition area, as is customary for lawmakers not aligned with the ruling party. “He will be seated in a neutral zone, between the Treasury and Opposition Benches,” said Assembly insiders. His participation in the session will follow the same rules as any other MLA, including the right to speak during debates and raise issues.
Chatterjee, in his own comments, reaffirmed his intention to attend the session, stating that he had long wanted the opportunity to speak but had been unheard for the past three and a half years. “It doesn’t matter if I attend the session now or not. For the past three and a half years, I wanted to speak, but nobody listened,” he remarked, reflecting on his political isolation.
The upcoming winter session of the Assembly, scheduled to begin later this month, will see Chatterjee return to a legislature that has undergone significant changes since his last involvement. His return, despite his suspension from the TMC, is likely to stir further discussions on the evolving political landscape of West Bengal, with potential ramifications for both the ruling party and the opposition.
The political corridors of Kolkata are already buzzing with rumours about how Chatterjee’s re-emergence will play out in the Assembly. The former education minister’s presence, after a prolonged absence, has once again become the focal point of both political intrigue and media attention.
While Chatterjee’s exact role in the session remains unclear, one thing is sure: his return is likely to add a new dimension to the already complex political scenario in the state.