West Bengal State Assembly Passes Resolution For The Creation Of Legislative Council

In a significant development, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly today passed a resolution to create a Legislative Council in the state under Article 169 of the Constitution of India.

A total of 265 members were present in the assembly today when the resolution was moved by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee. While a total of 196 MLAs voted in favour of the resolution, 69 voted against it, a sitting MLA confirmed while speaking to Live Law. 

Now, the resolution would need a nod from the Governor and thereafter, a Bill to that effect will have to be passed in the parliament so that a Legislative Council (for the state of West Bengal) could come into being. Article 169 of the Consitution of India deals with the Abolition or creation of Legislative Councils in States.

Presently, a total of Six States have a Legislative Council and they are: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka.

It may be noted that in the year 2019, through the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Council was abolished. Also, last year, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly had passed the resolution for the abolition of the Legislative Council. The same has not been passed by the parliament as of now. 

Interestingly, the State of West Bengal had an Upper House which came into being in the year1952., however, the same was abolished in the year 1969 as the state Assembly had passed the resolution calling for its abolition.