Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee in the Lok Sabha, saying he is not allowed to speak in West Bengal. Modi made the remark as he addressed the lower house on the women's reservation bill, which aims to reserve 33% of Lok Sabha seats for women based on the 2011 census.
During the address, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee was seen raising objections to the prime minister, but Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla intervened, asking him to take his seat. Modi then requested Birla to allow Banerjee to speak, saying 'he has a lock on his mouth since they don't allow him to speak in Bengal.'
The prime minister's remark echoes the friction between Banerjee and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. In 2025, Banerjee was involved in a public spat with fellow TMC MP Mahua Moitra, which resulted in his resignation as the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha.
Modi also appealed to the opposition to allow the passage and implementation of the women's reservation bill, warning that those who object to it will 'not be forgiven by the women of India.'
