West Bengal Assembly Passes Proposal to Form a Legislative Council

The West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution to set up a Legislative Council amid protests by the Bharatiya Janata Party, PTI reported.

The resolution was moved by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee under Rule 169 of the Procedures of Conduct of Business of the House. Out of a total of 265 members present in the Assembly, 196 MLAs voted in favour of the resolution, while 69 opposed it.

The West Bengal Legislative Council was set up in 1952 and abolished in 1969 by a coalition government of Left parties. The ruling Trinamool Congress had promised to set up a Legislative Council during the Assembly elections.