Left Front, Congress walk out over farmer suicides

The opposition Left Front and Congress on Tuesday staged a walkout from the West Bengal assembly protesting the speaker's refusal to allow discussion on farmers' suicides in the state.

The opposition lawmakers raised the issue of suicides by potato farmers, but Speaker Biman Banerjee refused to allow any discussion.

Congress legislators staged a noisy demonstration and sought a statement from the government.

Left Front members also walked out.

According to Communist Party of India-Marxist member Anisur Rahaman, farmers were not getting the minimum prices for their produce while Congress legislators demanded a statement from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee acknowledging that the farmers have committed suicide.