Lacks basic gratitude: Kalyan Banerjee regrets backing Mahua Moitra in past

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee has escalated his war of words with party colleague Mahua Moitra, accusing her of ingratitude and apologising publicly for once supporting her during a political storm in Parliament.

Sharing a video of his 2023 speech in Parliament defending Moitra, Banerjee posted on X, "I stood by Ms. Moitra when she was under attack — out of conviction, not compulsion. Today, she calls me a misogynist. I owe the nation an apology for having defended someone who clearly lacks basic gratitude. Let the people judge her words".

The fresh salvo came a day after Banerjee resigned as the TMC's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, citing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's observation at a party meeting about poor coordination among MPs. "So the blame is on me. Hence, I have decided to step down," he said.

Shortly after his post, Moitra congratulated MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on her appointment as the new chief whip — a move seen as a veiled snub to Kalyan Banerjee.

The rift between the two senior leaders has been brewing for months, laced with personal jibes and barbed exchanges. The latest flashpoint was Moitra's remarks on a India Today podcast, where she addressed Banerjee's repeated attacks. "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," Moitra said.

The comments triggered a fiery comeback from Kalyan Banerjee, who slammed Moitra for what he called "dehumanising language", saying, "Comparing a fellow MP to a 'pig' reflects a deep disregard for basic norms of civil discourse".

The Serampore MP, also a lawyer, further argued that gender should not shield public figures from criticism. "Labelling a male colleague as 'sexually frustrated' isn't boldness — it's outright abuse. If such language were used against a woman, there would be nationwide outrage. Abuse is abuse, regardless of gender," Kalyan Banerjee said, adding that Moitra was deflecting accountability by framing criticism as misogyny.

Kalyan Banerjee had earlier drawn widespread condemnation for remarks made following a college rape incident, where he controversially asked, "If a friend rapes a friend, how can you ensure security? Will there be police in schools?" The party distanced itself from the statement, and Moitra weighed in, saying, "Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates the Trinamool Congress is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them".

In response, Kalyan Banerjee launched a personal attack, bringing up Moitra's recent marriage to former BJD MP Pinaki Misra. "She is calling me anti-women. What is she? She has broken up a family and married a 65-year-old guy," he said.

As tensions continue to flare, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is said to have urged MPs to avoid internal bickering and instead focus on taking on the central government, especially over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Sources have told India Today TV that Kalyan Banerjee is now reconsidering his resignation as Chief Whip and is likely to meet Abhishek Banerjee to discuss the same.

- Ends