TMC MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra clash over statements regarding the South Kolkata gang-rape case. Kalyan targeted Mahua's personal life and labeled her anti-woman in response to her criticism.
Kolkata: Two Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders have engaged in a public spat following statements made regarding the South Kolkata Law College gang-rape case. Initially, MP Kalyan Banerjee made a statement on the case, which drew criticism and led the party to distance itself from him. Subsequently, MP Mahua Moitra, without naming Banerjee, condemned his statement. In response, Kalyan Banerjee attacked Mahua's personal life, accusing her of being anti-woman.
'Mahua started quarreling after returning from her honeymoon'
Reacting to Mahua's X-post, Kalyan Banerjee said that Mahua Moitra returned from her honeymoon and started arguing with him. He questioned whether Mahua, by breaking a 40-year-old marriage and marrying a 65-year-old man, had not hurt women. He also alleged that Mahua is against all the women leaders in her constituency. He stated that Mahua began her political journey by joining TMC in 2016 and built her political identity by claiming to be a friend of Rahul Gandhi.
'Politics of saving money and future'
Kalyan Banerjee further stated that he was called to campaign for the Kaliaganj by-election. When he reached the assembly, local leaders told him that Mahua had opposed him. He claimed that when he asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he was told that there was no ban on campaigning.
He said that Mahua is an MP who should have been removed from Parliament for violating ethics. He accused Mahua of only trying to secure her future and make money.
TMC's Response
The controversy began with Kalyan Banerjee's statement on the Kolkata Law College gang-rape case. He had said, should there be security arrangements if a friend rapes his friend, and should women fight against these perverted men? On this statement, the TMC said that it was Kalyan Banerjee's personal opinion and the party did not support it. The party also stated that its stand was clear: no justification would be given for any crime against women, and the perpetrators would not be spared.
