With the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker Hashim Abdul Halim turning down the request for a discussion on the Lalgarh police operation, the Trinamool Congress on Tuesday staged a walkout from the House.

Trinamool member Ashok Deb moved a motion and sought the Speaker’s permission for a discussion. But the Speaker turned down Deb, which prompted the walkout. Trinamool ally Congress, however, did not follow suit. Congress MLA Asit Mal had on Monday moved a motion on the same issue.

The Speaker did not either permit for a debate, which was proposed by the Congress. “The motion could be debated in the House only after the budget discussion was over and in the usual business schedule of the House,” said the Speaker. Moving the adjournment motion Deb said: “The state government has adopted a Fascist strategy to isolate the tribals in vast areas of Jangalmahal by labeling them as Maoists.” Trinamool sources said they want to expose the government on the floor of the House and reveal how the state police are branding the innocent villagers as Maoists. “We fear that Opposition workers would face police harassment in the area,” said a leader.