TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee's Resignation Accepted, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Named New Chief Whip

Kolkata: In less than 24 hours, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee’s resignation got accepted and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Tuesday became the TMC’s new Chief Whip.

Talking to the media, Kakoli thanked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party’s national secretary Abhishek Banerjee for giving her an opportunity to serve people more.

“Kalyan Banerjee is an experienced politician and was also shouldering the responsibility of Chief Whip. Since he had resigned one has to take the responsibility,” said Kakoli.

Asked about Kalyan Banerjee’s comment on TMC MP Mahua Moitra to which Kakoli added, “Certain things are best when kept private. It is very unfortunate that whatever Kalyan’s notion is about Mahua came into public domain.”

Notably, TMC MP Satabdi Ray is made the new Deputy leader of the party in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, Kalyan ‘apologizes to the nation’ for supporting Mahua Moitra in 2023 when she was allegedly heckled in the Parliament.

“In 2023, I stood by Ms. Moitra when she was under fire in Parliament - I did so out of conviction, not compulsion. Today, she repays that support by calling me a misogynist. I owe the nation an apology for having defended someone who clearly lacks basic gratitude. Let people see her words for what they are and judge accordingly," the Serampore MP said in a post on X, sharing a video of his speech in support of Mahua Moitra.

Taking to X, Mahua congratulated both Kakoli and Satabdi for their new post.

“Heartfelt congratulations to my senior colleagues @kakoligdastidar & @SatabdiRoyMP for being nominated Chief Whip & Deputy Leader of AITC in Lok Sabha. God bless & shine on,” wrote Mahua.