TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee speaks during a protest rally of Trinamool Youth Congress and TMC Chhatra Parishad over the alleged discriminatory attitude of the central government against West Bengal at Shaheed Minar ground in Kolkata on March 29, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday asked whether Rahul Gandhi can be disqualified As a Lok Sabha MP for his remarks about a community, then why can’t similar action be taken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hurting women’s sentiments with his taunts against Mamata Banerjee.
TMC national general secretary was addressing a rally at Shaheed Minar ground in Kolkata.
He asked the party’s legal cell to file a case against Shubhendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, seeking his disqualification from the House for “insulting” a woman minister from the tribal community.
“I cannot support Gandhi’s comment, but I condemn the way he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha. Shame on the PM for hurting women’s sentiments by ridiculing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.” Why not be disqualified.” His ‘Didi O Didi’ taunted him during the 2021 assembly election campaign, We demand that action be taken in that case also.”
The Diamond Harbor MP asked his party leaders to register a case against Suvendu Adhikari for hurting the sentiments of the Scheduled Tribe community in the state.
“Why no action will be taken against the officer for hurting the sentiments of the ST community to say so Minister Birbaha Hansda’s place was under his shoes? Is it not tantamount to insulting a Scheduled Tribe? He should also be disqualified as an MLA,” he said.
Ms Banerjee cited a viral video clip last year in which Mr Adhikari was allegedly heard telling a group of people, “Debnath Hansda and Birbaha Hansda are children. Their place is under my shoes.” However, PTI could not verify the authenticity of the video clip.
Mr. Hansda lodged a police complaint against Mr. Adhikari.
Lashing out at the Center over the misuse of central agencies, the official said attempts were being made to defame the ruling party in West Bengal.
He said, “Today, we are here to protest the step-motherly attitude of the Center towards West Bengal. If the dues of the state are not cleared, I will protest in New Delhi and fight for our rights.”