“Wasn’t intending to hurt anyone”: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee amid Mimicry Row

Tensions escalated in the Parliament as Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee faced severe criticism and suspension over his mock impersonation of Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The incident occurred during a protest by suspended Opposition members on the Parliament stairs on Tuesday, leading to a viral video and a subsequent political uproar.

In response to the controversy, Banerjee clarified his conduct, asserting that he had no intention to hurt anyone. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he stated, “I wasn’t intending to hurt anyone. I do not know why he is taking this on himself. Does he act like this in the Rajya Sabha?” Banerjee emphasized his respect for Vice President Dhankhar, citing their shared background in law.

However, the video drew sharp condemnation from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being targeted by Banerjee for his past mimicking of opposition leaders. Banerjee stated, “Even the PM mimicked Opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha between 2014 and 2019. Now, if they are taking it seriously in my case, I can’t help it.”

The incident prompted a response from the Chairman of the Upper House, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who urged the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) to prevent Opposition members from engaging in indecorous conduct. Dhankhar expressed his commitment to protecting the dignity of his office, even in the face of personal insults.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed dismay over the incident, emphasizing the need for elected representatives to express themselves within the norms of dignity and courtesy. She posted on social media, “Elected representatives must be free to express themselves, but their expression should be within the norms of dignity and courtesy.”

In a twist, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh claimed that the mimicry incident was a ploy to divert attention from the suspension of 141 MPs, who were penalized for disrupting proceedings and demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Parliament security breach on December 13.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi demanded an apology from the INDIA bloc over the incident, accusing the opposition members of attempting to belittle the image of the Vice President. Joshi expressed concern in the Rajya Sabha, stating, “This incident has circulated on social media, and people are condemning it.”

As the political storm unfolds, the suspension count in Parliament has now reached 141, with 49 more opposition MPs suspended from Lok Sabha for “misconduct” during the remainder of the monsoon session. The episode adds to the challenges faced by the Opposition as they navigate the complex dynamics leading up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.