Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accusing fellow TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee of verbal abuse.
The incident highlights growing internal friction within the Trinamool Congress party and raises concerns regarding the conduct of lawmakers inside India's lower house.
In the letter, Dastidar alleged that Banerjee repeatedly verbally abused her inside the Lok Sabha chamber [1, 2]. She specifically characterized the behavior as misogynistic [2]. Dastidar requested the Speaker's intervention to address the matter and said, "I seek the Speaker's permission to file a formal complaint" [1, 2].
This formal complaint follows a period of internal tension for Dastidar. Reports indicate she recently resigned from all organizational posts within the party [1]. While the letter to Speaker Birla focuses on the allegations of abuse and does not mention her resignation, the timing coincides with her departure from party leadership roles [2].
Banerjee responded to the allegations by suggesting the accusations were not genuine. "They are acting with a motive," Banerjee said [1].
The dispute centers on interactions that took place within the Lok Sabha chamber in New Delhi. Dastidar's letter seeks a formal mechanism for accountability, citing that "He repeatedly verbally abused me inside the Lok Sabha chamber" [1].
The matter now rests with Speaker Om Birla to determine if a formal investigation or disciplinary action is warranted based on the claims filed on May 8, 2026 [1].
“"He repeatedly verbally abused me inside the Lok Sabha chamber."”
The public fallout between two high-ranking members of the Trinamool Congress suggests a deeper fracture in the party's internal cohesion. By appealing to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Dastidar has moved a private party dispute into a formal parliamentary record, which may force the party leadership to address allegations of misogyny and workplace toxicity within their ranks.
