Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee has issued a stern warning to party MP Mahua Moitra, putting her on notice following a heated verbal altercation with fellow TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, according to India TV report.
The report suggest that warning was conveyed through a senior woman Rajya Sabha MP, reportedly cautioning Moitra against further disruptive behavior, threatening strict disciplinary action, including potential suspension, if she fails to comply. This intervention follows a detailed briefing given to Banerjee by TMC MP Derek O’Brien regarding the incident.
Why the conflict was escalated?
The root of the conflict appears to stem from ongoing tensions between Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, particularly concerning speaking time allocation in the Lok Sabha. Moitra, known for her vocal presence, reportedly feels marginalised by Banerjee, who manages floor time for several party MPs. Sources suggest her frustration escalated when she was denied opportunities to speak on various issues.
Adding fuel to the fire, Moitra reportedly feels threatened by Kalyan Banerjee’s growing prominence within the party and in the media. This perceived rivalry culminated in a heated exchange where Moitra allegedly used abusive language against Banerjee and his daughter, even referring to him with the derogatory Bengali term “chhoto lok” (lowly person).
Mahaua Moitra and Kalyan Banrejee spat
The public spat gained traction after the BJP’s IT cell head, Amit Malviya, shared videos and screenshots of the altercation on social media platform X. These materials purportedly captured a WhatsApp conversation between Kalyan Banerjee and Kirti Azad, as well as video footage of the verbal exchange between Banerjee and Moitra.
Malviya alleged the incident occurred on April 4 at the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, where both TMC leaders had gone to submit a memorandum. He claimed the situation became so tense that police intervention was sought.
Sources close to Kalyan Banerjee revealed that the disagreement originated from a dispute over signature collection for the ECI delegation. Derek O’Brien had tasked Banerjee with collecting signatures, but due to a prior Supreme Court commitment, Banerjee delegated the task to his secretary.
When he later joined the delegation, Moitra reportedly confronted him about her missing signature, leading to the heated exchange. Banerjee allegedly responded that her name was not on the original list of delegation members.
The public fallout from the altercation has placed significant pressure on the TMC leadership, forcing Mamata Banerjee to intervene and issue a clear warning to Moitra. The incident highlights internal tensions within the party and raises questions about its unity in the lead-up to upcoming elections.