Hooghly, 13 May (H.S.): TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee has come under sharp criticism after his controversial remarks targeting people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar triggered a political storm in West Bengal. From social media platforms to political circles, the Trinamool Congress MP’s comments have drawn widespread condemnation, with BJP leaders accusing him of insulting the Hindi-speaking community.

During a recent press conference, Banerjee allegedly said that “people from UP and Bihar are gutkha eaters” and claimed that after the BJP’s victory in Bengal, such people had become dominant and were misbehaving with women in the state.

The remarks quickly went viral on social media, where the MP faced trolling and criticism from several quarters.

Reacting to the controversy, Shashi Singh Jha, councillor of Ward No. 11 of Rishra Municipality, said on Wednesday that Banerjee’s statement was “highly objectionable and unfortunate”. She demanded that the MP publicly apologise for his remarks.

Jha further said that the very people from UP and Bihar whom Banerjee was now criticising had earlier been accommodated in key civic positions under his political influence. She claimed that in municipalities such as Uttarpara, Rishra and Champdani, individuals belonging to UP-Bihar-origin communities had been made chairpersons and vice-chairpersons.

“Those who were once close to him are now being targeted with offensive remarks,” she alleged.

Meanwhile, newly elected Serampore MLA Bhaskar Bhattacharya also attacked Banerjee, claiming that Trinamool Congress leaders were making “irresponsible statements” out of frustration after suffering a major defeat in the Assembly elections.

BJP leaders maintained that Hindi-speaking communities living in West Bengal had made significant contributions to the state’s industry, trade and overall development, and said derogatory remarks against any community would not be tolerated.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey