The Lok Sabha on Tuesday turned into a comedy circus of sorts, with Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee's antics in the House drawing laughter from his Parliament colleagues. His Lok Sabha address was laced with digs and barbs directed at the BJP.
On Tuesday, the Trinamool MP from Sreerampur rose to address the Lok Sabha and said that the Opposition's rise in numbers was a game that had just begun. He jeered at the treasury benches and said that the BJP's vanity had prevented it from securing an absolute majority.
Alluding to the popular political slogan "khela hobe [the game is on]" Kalyan Banerjee said, "You said 400 paar [400+ seats]! The game has started now. There are many types of games, sir. Chu kit kit [hopscotch] is also a game. You lost the game." Kalyan Banerjee raised his arms and jumped on his spot to taunt the BJP.
Trinamool's Sudip Banerjee, who was sitting next to Kalyan Banerjee in the Lok Sabha, raised the slogan "aaro khela hobe". Other Trinamool Congress leaders like Shatabdi Roy, Mahua Moitra, and June Malia could be seen laughing at their colleague's antics.
BJP's Slams TMC, Kalyan Banerjee
The TMC MP's horseplay in Parliament attracted the ruling coalition's protests, following which Speaker Om Birla asked Kalyan Banerjee to look at him and speak. Kalyan replied, "Sir, I look at only you. I don't look at anyone else. There is no one here smarter than you. I see you alone. Many good actresses have also come; no one looks at them. Everyone looks at you... Your behaviour towards the opposition will be remembered, sir."
Attacking the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kalyan said, "You didn't keep your promises, na man ki baat, na dil ki baat... Modiji has guarantees, but guarantees have no warranty."
Kalyan's comments were opposed by the BJP. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, "Yesterday 'Hindu Hinsak Hai' ; jibes at Chair by Rahul Gandhi. Now, the most atrocious and disgusting comments aimed at Speaker’s Chair by Kalyan Banerjee who even mocked the posture of VP Jagdeep Dhankar. I agree Congress, TMC got a few more seats than expected. So does that mean mock Hindus - mock Constitutional positions - make Parliament a platform for comedy," he sought to ask the TMC.
"Not a word by TMC on Talibani Tajmul who was defended by TMC MLA by saying that the victim was characterless and this flogging is ok in Muslim Rashtra! Mahua Moitra laughs and claps - how many words for the victim of Tajmul? For Sandeshkhali ?? Not a word on 65 Dalit Lives lost in Tamil Nadu," Poonawalla posted on X.
Kalyan Banerjee Mimicked Dhankhar Last Year
Last year, Kalyan Banerjee had stirred up a massive row with his mimicry of Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Dhankhar, who was not at all amused with the impersonation, called for showing respect to the post of the Chairman if not to the individual (Dhankhar himself). The BJP, too, protested the incident and slammed Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi who were laughing and filming Banerjee's act outside the Parliament building.