'Bolne dijiye, Bengal mei bechare ke muh pe tala laga hai': PM Modi’s swipe at Kalyan Banerjee in Lok Sabha | Watch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a sharp swipe at Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee during his address in the Lok Sabha, amid heated exchanges over the women’s reservation bill. As Banerjee interrupted the speech, the Prime Minister urged Speaker Om Birla to allow him to speak, remarking that the MP is “not allowed to speak in Bengal,” in a comment that drew attention both inside and outside the House.

The remark came during a moment of disruption, when Kalyan Banerjee was heard objecting to the Prime Minister’s speech. Responding to the situation, Modi said, “Let him speak, his mouth is locked there. In Bengal, no one allows him to speak,” prompting reactions from members present. The comment quickly gained traction, especially in the context of the ongoing political tensions ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

The swipe also reflects the underlying friction within the Trinamool Congress, where internal disagreements have surfaced in recent times. Kalyan Banerjee had earlier been involved in a public dispute with fellow party MP Mahua Moitra, which led to criticism from the party leadership and his eventual resignation as the party’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister’s remark appeared to allude to these internal tensions.

During his address, Modi also pushed strongly for the passage and implementation of the women’s reservation bill, urging the opposition to support the legislation. He warned that any attempt to oppose the bill would not be viewed kindly by women across the country, framing it as a crucial step towards political empowerment.

The proposed amendments to the legislation include reserving 33 per cent of Lok Sabha seats for women and increasing the total strength of the House. The debate around the bill continues to intensify, with political exchanges inside Parliament reflecting the larger electoral contest playing out across states, including West Bengal.