Thursday, 24 October 2024
Thursday, 24 October 2024
Trinamul Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Tuesday got into an argument and smashed a glass bottle at a meeting of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) examining the contentious waqf amendment bill, leading to his suspension from the panel for a day.
Chairperson of the committee and senior BJP MP Jagdambika Pal accused Banerjee of violent behaviour and termed his actions unprecedented.
Soon, a war of words erupted between the BJP and the Trinamul.
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar: TMC symbolises politics of violence
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Kalyan Banerjee was “trying to insult the Constitution and democracy”.
“Trinamool Congress has become a symbol in a way that represents a new level of politics of violence and disruption,” Rajeev told ANI.
“I believe this is very wrong, there is a big threat to our Parliament, our parliamentary institution and very strict action should be taken against them,” he said.
BL Verma: Kalyan has become undisciplined to please Mamata Banerjee
Union Minister BL Verma was not surprised. “It is not a new issue related to Kalyan Banerjee. We have seen this previously also. He does not even respect the Vice President,” Verma told ANI.
“To show Mamata Banerjee that he can do anything for her, he has started indiscipline. Breaking a glass bottle during a JPC meeting, he has shown his indiscipline,” Verma added.
“The people of the party of Mamata Banerjee do this anywhere they go in the country,” he said.
Kunal Ghosh: Abhijit Ganguly provoked Kalyan Banerjee
A few politicians also tried to defend Kalyan Banerjee. Former MP, TMC’s Kunal Ghosh dissented from Jagdambika Pal’s opinion about Banerjee’s “violent” behaviour.
“What Jagdambika Pal is saying is baseless. Kalyan Banerjee was right. The BJP MP, who is also an ex-judge, was provoking him and that is why Kalyan Banerjee got a little angry,” said Kunal Ghosh defending Banerjee in his interview with ANI.
“How can the chairman of the committee hold a press conference? He is doing politics in the committee meeting,” Ghosh said about Pal.
DMK member A Raja: Happenings in the meeting weren’t supposed to be disclosed
DMK member A Raja thought it was “unfortunate” that Jagdambika Pal held a press conference and “transpired the proceedings/happenings in the meeting whatsoever; knowing fully well that the proceedings are confidential and not to be disclosed.”
“In spite of the unpleasant incident that took place in the meeting, the attitude and manner by which the meetings are conducted in haste by the chairman, create doubts in the mind of the members and public that Justice will not be secured,” he wrote on X.
“Let us fight to uphold our democratic and secular values despite the hurdles,” he concluded.
Jagdambika Pal: Have not revealed any proceedings
Chairman of the parliamentary committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill Jagdambika Pal also thought Banerjee’s conduct was unacceptable.
“I have not revealed any proceedings or deliberations of the Committee. I have only made a statement about an incident of violence during the committee meeting by a member and his subsequent suspension,” he was quoted as saying by the PTI.
“I have always adhered to rules of parliamentary procedure and upheld the dignity of the House,” Pal added in his own defence.
Pratima Bhoumik: Banerjee also insulted protesting doctor over the RG Kar incident
Former Union Minister of State Pratima Bhoumik labelled Banerjee’s conduct as “insensitive” and “unacceptable”.
“Kalyan Banerjee crosses the line. Today, he smashed a bottle in a fit of rage during the Waqf Bill meeting, showcasing a troubling pattern of disrespect,” she wrote on X.
“Earlier, he mocked VP Dhankar & insulted protesting doctors over the RG Kar case. This level of insensitivity is unacceptable!” Bhoumik concluded.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Rahul Gandhi should account for Banerjee’s behaviour
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat found Kalyan Banerjee’s behaviour “undemocratic”.
“This is also an insult to the lakhs of voters who have elected him and sent him to Parliament. This kind of insult cannot be accepted in a democratic system. I want to ask all the leaders of the Congress party and the INDI alliance what their stance is on this matter,” was quoted as saying by the PTI.
Shekhawat said Rahul Gandhi and other leaders "should answer the public on such undemocratic behaviour" too.
JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar: Banerjee's behaviour is unparliamentary
JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar thought Kalyan Banerjee’s conduct threatened parliamentary democracy.
“The behaviour of the TMC MP is opposite of the parliamentary conduct, and it is saddening. Cognizance should be taken of it, else the dignity of parliamentary democracy will not remain,” Kumar told ANI.
Sanjay Singh: Very unfortunate Pal revealed the incident to the media
Sanjay Singh concurred with A Raja and condemned Jagdambika Pal’s press conference.
“First of all, it's not in accordance with the rules to make a public statement about what transpired during the meeting. It is very unfortunate that the Chairman made a statement to the media,” Singh was quoted as saying by the PTI.
