Kalyan Banerjee apologises to Nation for backing Colleague Mahua Moitra
Kalyan Banerjee apologises to Nation for backing Colleague Mahua Moitra
A day following his resignation as the Trinamool Congress’s chief whip in Lok Sabha amid a churn in the party, senior MP Kalyan Banerjee today attacked party colleague Mahua Moitra, saying she “lacks basic gratitude” and apologised to the nation for defending her.
He added that in 2023, he stood by Moitra when she was under fire in Parliament – he did so out of conviction, not compulsion. Today, she repays that support by calling him a misogynist. He owes the nation an apology for having defended someone who clearly lacks basic gratitude. Let people see her words for what they are and judge accordingly,” taking to his X post, shared a video of his speech in support of Moitra.
Hours after Banerjee’s post, Moitra congratulated party MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar for being nominated as Chief Whip. “Heartfelt congratulations to my senior colleagues for being nominated Chief Whip & Deputy Leader of AITC in Lok Sabha. God bless & shine on.
Banerjee and Moitra have traded nasty barbs over the past few months. The latest flashpoint was Moitra’s remarks in a podcast. Responding to a question on Banerjee’s verbal attacks, Moitra said, “You don’t wrestle with a pig. Because the pig likes it and you get dirty. There are deeply misogynistic, sexually frustrated, depraved men in India and they have their representation in parliament across all parties.”
Mr Banerjee’s nasty personal attack against Ms Moitra made headlined in June. Following a college student’s rape on campus, Banerjee had said, “If a friend rapes a friend, how can you ensure security? Will there be police in schools?” The Trinamool Congress distanced itself from the remarks, with Ms Moitra adding a barb: “Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates AITCofficial is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them.
This drew a personal attack from Banerjee, who referred to Moitra’s recent wedding with former BJD MP Pinaki Misra.
News Edit KV Raman
