TMC MLAs protest inside Bengal assembly, hit the roads over Giriraj Singh’s comments

A major row erupted in the West Bengal assembly on Thursday as Trinamool Ministers and MLAs sought apologies from BJP MLAs and shouted “shame shame” slogans on the floor of the House after Question-Answer session on Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s comment about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday. Meanwhile, Trinamool leadership also hit the roads and protested on the issue today , singing and dancing as a symbol of protest. Trinamool MPs also protested in New Delhi near Gandhi statue on the issue.Singh had questioned the ‘appropriateness’ of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee taking a few dance steps on stage during the inauguration of the Kolkata International Film Festival on Tuesday.

State Minister Shashi Panja raised the matter after the question answer hour was over at the assembly in regards to the remarks of Singh.

State Minister for Women & Child Development Sashi Panja said, “Derogatory, misogynistic remarks have been made against CM by Giriraj Singh. Mamata Banerjee is CM to all. Does BJP have the guts to apologise on behalf of their minister or are they supporting the statement and endorsing hatred towards women. Their attempts to disempower women is evident.”

Panja told media persons, “No one gave right to anyone–ant union minister to insult women. Our leader has been insulted and so we have protested and criticised the matter.”

BJP MLAs, including chief whip Manoj Tigga and others, walked out of the House protesting against Trinamool after Trinamool MLAs and ministers sought apologies and protested outside in the premises.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “Singh has attacked the Chief Minister’s post regarding Mamata Banerjee’s performance on stage…It was not a personal attack.” Yesterday, Singh’s video was retweeted by Adhikari in his X Handle.

“The House belongs to the Opposition. Opposition’s voice cannot be throttled in the assembly,” Adhikari said.Trinamool Congress has said BJP was ‘anti-women’, and a party which ‘hates women’, following Singh’s remark. Singh had said that it was inappropriate for the CM to dance while West Bengal was in dire poverty and people were struggling due to unemployment and corruption. Trinamool leaders termed the comment ‘misogynistic’ and ‘derogatory.’