Government seeks TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee's apology for 'slap Modi' quip

NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday took strong objection to the adverse remarks made recently by TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri's family and sought his unconditional apology in Lok Sabha.

However, as Banerjee cold shouldered the suggestion and his party colleagues objected to naming him on the floor of the House without prior notice, the government warned that the errant MP's defiance would leave it with no option but to move a censure motion after serving him notice.

BJP MPs are likely to bring a notice against Banerjee, following which he would have to either apologize or deny the statement for which he could face further action in accordance with how the Speaker decides to deal with the matter, government sources said. In fact, BJP MPs have been upset by Banerjee's comments against Modi at a Kolkata rally and the issue came up at Tuesday's weekly morning meeting of party MPs. "If he (Banerjee) denies having said what he did, television footage will be used to prove things," a senior BJP MP said.

"The BJP parliamentary party unanimously condemned the unruly and indecent remarks made by Mamata Banerjee and TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee against the prime minister and other BJP leaders. The party feels such remarks are against the democratic spirit and civic ethics," minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said after the meeting.

In Lok Sabha, the matter was raised during zero hour by BJP's Darjeeling MP S S Ahluwalia, who objected to the inappropriate language used by "an MP from West Bengal's ruling party" against Modi and late Lal Bahadur Shastri. "This practice needs to be stopped. I demand that the MP apologize to the House and a resolution be moved stating that no member has the right to insult the PM or a former PM or his family members," he said.

Not missing the opportunity to criticize the rival MP, CPM member Mohammad Salim said, "This is a serious matter. I suggest that the censure motion be brought against the said member."

Parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu recalled how Banerjee, at a public meeting in Kolkata on Sunday, criticized Modi by stating that "in 2019, people will slap Modi and send him to Gandhinagar, from where he would never be able to come out".

Naidu suggested that the member tender an unconditional apology. "Though I can bring a censure motion, I would like the member to come forward himself and tender the apology," he said while naming Kalyan Banerjee.

Banerjee remained seated with a poker face. Instead, his party colleague Saugata Roy sprang to his feet, alleging that the government had ignore parliamentary procedures and sought to criticize Banjeree by name without giving him prior notice to defend himself.

Naidu replied, "If that is what the party wants, I will follow the formal procedures and bring a censure motion after giving a notice."

At this point, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan intervened, suggesting that the TMC MP apologize on his own as "one cannot be forced to express remorse".

As Banerjee refused to budge, Naidu said the government would have little option but to follow the formal procedures to censure him. He was joined by skill development minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who said the TMP MP's defiance would drive the government to bring the censure motion against him.