“He (CM) has become a Shahjehan — imprisoned. Neither his party nor his administration is allowing him to work. When it is a meeting on national security in Delhi, officers are sent to attend that. Health minister is attending similar meetings on price rise. Why is the CM skipping important meetings in Delhi? His party does not allow him to deal with serious issues,” said Manas Bhuinya, Leader of Congress Legislature Party in the state Assembly.

Participating in the debate on the Governor’s address, Bhuinya said the government has become “stale”.

“Law and order situation is alarming, Public Distribution System has been paralysed and there is no redressal for the common people,” the Congress leader alleged, prompting the CM to interject.

“I had attended the meeting on price rise,” Bhattacharjee said. Bhuniya was quick to retort. “Only once. But there are several other meetings held by the PM or other Union ministers that you have skipped.”

Over the past six months, the CM has skipped key meetings in Delhi, including the one called by the Prime Minister on internal security and tackling of Maoist menace.

In most of these meetings, the state was represented by Health Minister Surya Kanta Mishra and Urban Development Minister Ashok Bhattacharya.

In the crucial tripartite meeting on Darjeeling, scheduled for March 18, the state government will be represented by its urban development minister.

“You (CM) have your No.2 in your cabinet, Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen. He is also not acting properly,” Bhuinya said amid shouts from the ruling party members, who were then restrained by the CM.

“I want to know your