'Mimicry was done by PM...,' says TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee as row erupts

Trinamool Congress' suspended MP Kalyan Banerjee who is facing heat over his mimicry of Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar has responded by claiming that PM Modi was doing the same back in Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2019.

"I have never had any intention to hurt anyone...Does he really behave like this in Rajya Sabha? Mimicry was done by the PM in Lok Sabha between 2014-2019..." said TMC MP Banerjee.

“I am a Member of the Lok Sabha, and I haven’t watched any Rajya Sabha proceedings. I wasn’t aware of the way honorable Chairperson speaks in the Rajya Sabha. I never named anyone in my act at the ‘Mock Parliament’, if he has taken up on him, I am really helpless. I have great respect for Dhankhar Ji,” added TMC MP.


Mimicry Row:
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday took exception to Banerjee mimicking him during a protest in Parliament premises saying that the mimicry is 'ridiculous' and 'unacceptable'.

Kalyan Banerjee, during the protest with other suspended MPs at Parliament's Makar Dwar, was seen mimicking the Vice President while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen filming the Trinamool MP using his Phone.

As the House reconvened at noon after being adjourned, Dhankhar took note of the incident and said, "Office of Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Office of Speaker is very different. Political parties will have their cross currents, they will have exchanges, but imagine a senior leader of your party, video graphing another member of another party. Mimicry of the Chairman, mimicry of Speaker. How ridiculous, how shameful, how unacceptable."

The suspended lawmakers were joined by the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Sonia Gandhi, as they raised slogans against the Centre.

The members will remain suspended till a report is submitted by the panel.

The reason for the suspension of opposition MPs for the rest of the Winter Session was cited to be 'misconduct' and failure to adhere to the directions of the Chair.

(with PTI inputs)