In a development within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Barasat MP Kakali Ghosh Dastidar has stepped down from all her party posts, intensifying internal tensions. She currently continues only as a Member of Parliament of the party.
Kakali’s decision follows a series of allegations she has raised against fellow party MP Kalyan Banerjee. Escalating the matter further, she has now approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking permission to file a formal complaint against him.
In her letter, which surfaced on Wednesday, Kakali alleged that Kalyan Banerjee had verbally insulted her and other female MPs within the Parliament premises on multiple occasions. She described the conduct as derogatory, disrespectful, and misogynistic, stating that such behavior undermines the dignity of women parliamentarians.
Kakali asserted that she was not the only one subjected to such treatment, claiming that several other women MPs have faced similar instances. She has urged the Speaker to take appropriate action to address the issue.
The development has triggered considerable debate in political circles, primarily because both the complainant and the accused belong to the same party. The episode has added to the growing unease within the internal dynamics of the TMC.
Notably, on May 15, Kakali was removed from her position as Chief Whip of the Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha. She was replaced by Kalyan Banerjee, the MP from Serampore. The decision was taken by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee following a meeting with party MPs at Kalighat on May 14.
A day after her removal, Kakali expressed her displeasure through a cryptic social media post. In the days that followed, she resigned as President of the Barasat Parliamentary District TMC unit and stepped down from her leadership role in the TMC’s women's wing.
Amid these developments, Kakali attended an administrative review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari earlier this week. However, shortly thereafter, she relinquished all remaining party responsibilities. She has formally communicated her decision to State President Subrata Bakshi.
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