The ruling BJP in Tripura on Friday said 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 told IANS on the condition of anonymity.
Opposition parties, however, continued to demand Debnath's sacking from the Assembly membership.
Earlier, 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 first three-day session of the newly constituted Tripura Assembly was held on March 24 and March 27 and 28.
When contacted by IANS, the BJP legislator denied the allegations, and said it was a conspiracy against him.
"When I tried to answer a phone call, a website was opened and immediately I closed it," Debnath said, adding that he is in touch with Assembly Speaker (Biswa Bandhu Sen) and state BJP president (Rajib Bhattacharjee).
"I will take the next course of action as per the guidance of the Speaker and the state party President," said Nath, who was elected to the state Assembly in the February 16 Assembly elections for the first time from the Bagbassa assembly constituency in north Tripura.
The 55-year-old leader is also the secretary of BJP's Tripura state unit.
Criticising 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 the assembly membership.
The CPI-M and Congress also criticised 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. Despite that, Nath watched the obscene video damaging the reputation of the House," said Birajit Sinha, state Congress chief and one of the three party MLAs.
"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 quashing of Debnath's assembly membership.
UK PM announces new 1.6-billion-pound deal for Ukraine to buy missiles
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain will allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) of British export finance to purchase more than 5,000 air defence missiles.
'PM Modi working for welfare of all communities without discrimination', says Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah Committee chief
Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah Committee Chairman Syed Afsar Ali Nizami on Sunday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending the Sufi music festival 'Jahan-e-Khusro' and said that he gave the message of brotherhood and works for the welfare of all communities and religion without any discrimination.
Mizoram: Security forces seize drugs valued at Rs 66.31 crore
The Assam Rifles in association with Mizoram Police in two separate joint operations have seized huge quantities of drugs worth Rs 66.31 crore from bordering Champhai district, which shares unfenced border with Myanmar and a hotspot of drugs smuggling, officials said on Sunday.
International Wheelchair Day: India emphasises inclusion of persons with disabilities
This day not only highlights the significance of wheelchairs in the lives of users but also serves as an important opportunity to enhance awareness and inclusivity in society, said the ministry on the occasion of the ‘International Wheelchair Day 2025’.
BJP committed to holistic development of Tripura – CM Dr Manik Saha celebrates 2 years of BJP’s second tenure in Tripura
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday joined the party’s celebration of 2 years of its second tenure in Tripura and said that the BJP is committed to holistic development of the state.
Communism is a system designed to ruin future of youth: Biplab
Former Tripura Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb launched a scathing attack on the CPI(M), asserting that Communism is a system designed to ruin the future of youth and women.
5 including four Govt officials arrested for embezzlement of Rs 29 Lakh in Sepahijala SP Office
Five individuals, including four government officials, have been arrested for their involvement in the embezzlement of Rs 29.04 lakh from the office of the Sepahijala District Superintendent of Police. A case was filed in February 2024 by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) of the SP's office, leading to an investigation.
Another member of robbery gang held, Weapons, TSR uniforms seized
Tripura Police of Churaibari police station has arrested another active member of the dacoity gang involved in the recent armed heist in Gobindapur, North Tripura district.