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Kalyan Banerjee hit back at Moitra by targeting her recent marriage with Odisha’s ex-BJD MP Pinaki Misra, calling her an “anti-woman” leader who prioritises her wealth and future.
TMC leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra. (PTI/File)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kalyan Banerjee intensified the party’s internal tensions by attacking TMC MP Mahua Moitra over her “misogyny” remark on his controversial statement in connection with the alleged rape of a 24-year-old law student in South Calcutta Law College.
After Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks on the rape case triggered a massive political backlash, the party distanced itself from his statement. Mahua Moitra took a direct jibe at the remarks, saying misogyny exists in every party, but the Mamata Banerjee-led party is different as it condemns its own leaders for their loose talk.
Kalyan Banerjee hit back at Moitra by targeting her recent marriage with Odisha’s ex-BJD MP Pinaki Misra, saying, “Mahua has come back to India after her honeymoon and started fighting with me.”
“She is saying I am anti-women. What is she? She has broken up a family of 40 years and married a 65-year-old guy. Did she not harm the lady? The women of the country will decide whether she broke up the family.”
Banerjee’s remarks marked a sharp escalation in the acrimonious clash within the party ranks since the Kolkata law student rape case came to light. “She is against all women leaders of her constituency. She doesn’t allow anyone to work. She was elected as MLA in 2016, she had earlier called Rahul Gandhi a friend.”
“An MP who was expelled from parliament for breach of ethics is telling me about philosophy! She is the most anti-woman. She knows only to secure her future and make money,” he added.
ALSO READ: ‘Shielding Criminals’: Kalyan Banerjee Slams TMC After Party Distances Itself From Rape Remark
Kalyan Banerjee’s Remarks On Law Student Rape Case
Banerjee sparked a massive political row in West Bengal after he said only a few men commit such crimes and questioned what could be done if a friend raped another friend. “A few men commit this type of crime…But what can be done if a friend rapes his friend? Will the police be in schools?” he said.
His remarks were strongly criticised by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused Banerjee of showing sympathy towards the accused. Matters became worse when TMC MLA Madan Mitra appeared to blame the survivor herself.
TMC distanced itself from the remarks of its party leaders, saying, “The remarks made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College were made in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same.”
However, Banerjee defended his remarks and questioned if the party is indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals.
“I completely disagree with the post made by @AITCofficial on X. Are they indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals? Mere academic statements won’t bring any real change unless immediate action is taken against those leaders directly responsible,” he said.
Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar…Read More
Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar… Read More
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