Rebel TMC MP urges Lok Sabha Speaker to expel Kalyan Banerjee from House

New Delhi: Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) - West Bengal's main opposition party - has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla demanding the expulsion of Kalyan Banerjee. Dastidar has alleged that Kalyan Banerjee repeatedly engaged in verbal abuse, made derogatory remarks against women, and conducted himself inappropriately within the Parliament complex. She wrote this letter seeking his expulsion following a complaint lodged against Banerjee, the MP from Serampore, on May 28.

The letter comes amidst ongoing turmoil within the party. Kalyan Banerjee had previously criticized the rebel MPs, challenging them to contest elections on a BJP ticket if they dared. In the letter requesting the Lok Sabha Speaker's intervention, Dastidar wrote, "On several occasions, Kalyan Banerjee has used objectionable, derogatory, and inappropriate language against me and other female members during House meetings and proceedings. Such conduct does not befit a Member of Parliament."

What are Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar's allegations?

Dastidar alleged that this "objectionable conduct" was not an isolated incident but a recurring pattern of behavior. She accused Banerjee of making personal attacks against her, engaging in intimidation, and making derogatory comments about women. In the letter dated June 10, Dastidar—the MP from West Bengal's Barasat constituency—stated, "Such behavior transcends the boundaries of political disagreement or parliamentary debate and falls into the realm of personal abuse and harassment. This conduct has not only caused me personal distress but has also created an atmosphere that discourages women from participating freely in parliamentary proceedings."

What did Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar announce?

Dastidar urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to take cognizance of the "repeated verbal abuse and inappropriate conduct" by Kalyan Banerjee and appealed for punitive or disciplinary action - including expulsion - as deemed appropriate by the House. On Sunday, Dastidar led a group of 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs and met the Lok Sabha Speaker to demand separate seating arrangements in the House. She also announced the merger of this faction with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). Speaking to reporters after meeting Birla, Dastidar stated that the letter submitted to the Speaker had been signed by 20 Trinamool Congress MPs.