In a sharp and combative intervention in the Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of deploying “women’s sentiment” as a calculated political tool to push through the contentious Delimitation Bill, calling the move a “political gimmick” designed to alter electoral equations ahead of future polls.
Speaking during the debate, Banerjee made it clear that his party opposed all three bills under discussion, framing the government’s intent as fundamentally political rather than reformist. “Our PM has a great quality, which is, the moment he understands that he going to lose the next election he changes the rules of the game,” he said, adding that the sudden focus on women’s representation was not rooted in genuine empowerment but in a broader electoral strategy. “The reemerging discussion of women, women, women is a ploy. Original plan is something different. Delimitation and seat adjustment is the original plan.”
Banerjee argued that if the government was truly committed to enhancing women’s representation, it could do so immediately within the existing parliamentary framework, without linking it to delimitation. “Increase the seat? You want us to support the bill, we will but first make a 50% for women in the current seat strength. Do it today, We will sit here until midnight. For this you do not need delimitation,” he asserted, challenging the treasury benches to act without delay.
In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, the TMC MP dismissed the government’s approach as theatrical. “Stop this Nautanki! It is enough! If you want to do it, do it instantly, can be done in a day. Out of the 543 seats in the Parliament, reserve 50% for women. You don’t have the courage,” he said.
Backing his claims with statistics, Banerjee sought to highlight what he described as the ruling party’s internal contradictions on women’s representation. Referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party, he said, “In BJP, total Lok Sabha MPs are 240. How many female in them? 31. What is the percentage? 12.91%. How many MPs do you have in Rajya Sabha? 106. How many women among them? 18. What is the percentage? 16.98%.” He contrasted this with his own party, the All India Trinamool Congress, claiming a significantly higher proportion of women parliamentarians. “Not a single party in India has given it. In Lok Sabha, 29 MPs, 11 female among that, which is 39.28%. In Rajya Sabha, total members 39, 6 female representatives, which is about 46.15%. We do it! Charity begins at home.”
Extending his critique, Banerjee questioned the moral authority of the government to invoke “Nari Shakti” without first ensuring equitable representation within its own ranks. “If you worship Adya Sakti then why don’t you reserve 50% candidacy for women for the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh in 2027. We will talk then,” he said, turning the political spotlight back on the ruling party.
The TMC leader also underscored the decisive role of women voters in India’s electoral landscape. “Women voters in the country comprises of 65.78%. All the governments that are running are running because of women force. But you disrespect women,” he remarked, framing the debate as one of political sincerity versus symbolic posturing.
Banerjee further raised procedural and constitutional concerns, questioning the timing and manner in which legislative changes were being introduced. “Why were the amendment brought in 2023 and the implemented yesterday midnight? Firstly, this is mockery of the parliament. How can there be an amendment in something that is not even an act,” he asked, alleging a disregard for parliamentary norms.
His speech also veered into political criticism of the government’s functioning and legislative priorities. In a controversial remark, he said, “Modi’s monkey team is excellent. Shri Ram had army of Hanuman but Modiji got monkeys,” drawing sharp reactions from the treasury benches.
The MP also linked the timing of parliamentary proceedings to ongoing electoral cycles, particularly in West Bengal, alleging that the schedule was being used to inconvenience opposition leaders. “Bengal elections are ongoing and it is a purported inconvenience for us to come back and forth… Bring all the MPs from the opposition state when there are elections going on, this is the plan. An unfair plan,” he said.
Finally, Banerjee questioned the constitutional validity of initiating delimitation exercises alongside an ongoing Census process. “How can there be a delimitation process when the Census process is ongoing? This is unconstitutional,” he argued, suggesting that the legislative push was not only politically motivated but also procedurally flawed.
