Opposition seeks action after Tripura BJP MLA caught watching obscene video on phone

AGARTALA: The ruling BJP in Tripura said on Friday it will constitute an inquiry committee to probe into an episode wherein party MLA Jadab Lal Debnath was caught on camera watching an obscene video on his mobile phone in the Tripura Assembly. "Tripura unit BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee issued a notice to Debnath seeking his clarification, but he is yet to reply to that notice," a senior BJP leader said on the condition of anonymity.

Opposition parties, however, continued to demand Debnath's sacking from the Assembly membership. Earlier, a video of Nath watching a video while the session was on went viral on social media, leading to sharp criticism of the legislator. Netizens termed the act as 'shameful'. The MLA has been accused of watching some obscene content on his mobile phone.

The 55-year-old leader is also the secretary of the BJP's Tripura state unit.

Criticizing the BJP legislator, Opposition leader Animesh Debbarma said "the MLAs are responsible persons and their acts should not create a bad precedent for others, especially the younger generation." Demanding appropriate action against the legislator, Debbarma, a senior leader of the Tipra Motha Party, said that in 2012, BJP legislators in Karnataka and Gujarat were also caught on camera watching obscene videos, and the party immediately took action, and they also quit their assembly membership.

The CPI-M and Congress also criticized Nath and demanded action against him. "Operation of mobile phones inside the Assembly is restricted. We should all concentrate on the proceedings and business of the House. "If the BJP has minimum morality, it must take action against Nath," Sinha, a former minister, told the media. Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman also separately demanded the quashing of Debnath's assembly membership. (IANS)