Agartala , Mar 26, 2025, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala March 26: The fourth day of the Budget Session 2025-26 witnessed a dramatic turn as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath filed a 'Breach of Privilege' motion against the editor of the local newspaper, “Daily Desher Katha”.

 The motion, submitted to Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, accused the publication of disseminating a “misleading and deliberately motivated report” that allegedly distorted Nath's remarks during the Assembly session.

The controversy traces back to Nath's comments on March 24, during the budget discussion, where he addressed Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury.

Nath later clarified that his words were neither unparliamentary nor offensive. He alleged that “Daily Desher Katha”, a CPI(M) party mouthpiece, had twisted his statements to inject a communal angle.

Later in the day, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister addressed the press. He said, "My words have been deliberately given a communal angle, spreading hateful provocation in a highly planned manner”.

He emphasized that the newspaper's report not only tarnished the dignity of the Legislative Assembly but also caused personal defamation and violated his privilege as a member.

To substantiate his motion, Nath attached copies of the newspaper report alongside Assembly proceedings, urging action under Rule 173 of the Assembly's procedural rules.

Meanwhile, this unfolding episode has added a layer of tension to the Assembly session, spotlighting the fragile interplay between political discourse and media accountability.