The Tripura Legislative Assembly witnessed chaos on Tuesday as opposition CPI-M members staged a walkout in protest against an alleged “racist” remark made by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury.
The controversy erupted during discussions on the 2025-26 budget when Minister Nath allegedly made a derogatory comment referring to Chaudhury’s tribe. The opposition, led by senior CPI-M MLA Shyamal Chakraborty, immediately demanded an apology. As tensions escalated, CPI-M members stormed the well of the House, seeking a response from the Speaker.
Chaudhury, a senior tribal leader and CPI-M Tripura State Secretary, later submitted a privilege motion against Nath. He accused the minister of breaching his privilege by making racially derogatory remarks that insulted him, his family, and his community. In his privilege motion, he cited Rule-173 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Tripura Legislative Assembly to demand action.
Both Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen and Minister Nath denied the allegations. Nath clarified that his comment was not meant to offend Chaudhury’s tribe but was directed at the “mindset of the CPI-M party.” However, his explanation did not satisfy the opposition, which insisted on an apology.
As the Speaker refused to intervene, the CPI-M legislators walked out in protest, marking a dramatic turn in the ongoing budget session. The incident has sparked political tensions in the state, with demands for accountability and respect in legislative proceedings.
