In Lok Sabha today, tensions flared between Speaker Om Birla and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee during a discussion on Budget 2024. The clash occurred after Banerjee alleged that the House never debated the three farm laws that were later repealed. Speaker Birla firmly countered, saying that they were discussed for five and a half hours.
Banerjee, who represents Diamond Harbour in West Bengal and is a key figure in Mamata Banerjee’s party, argued that the agricultural bills were passed without proper consultation with farmers, agricultural organisations, or opposition parties. Speaker Birla responded sharply, stating, “Let’s set the record straight. When the Speaker speaks, he speaks correctly. You should correct yourself.”
Despite the Speaker’s insistence, Banerjee held his position, leading Birla to reiterate, “When I speak, I do not speak wrong.”
When Banerjee spoke about demonetization, Birla reminded him that the topic was from 2016 and urged him to stick to the current budget. Banerjee countered by questioning why discussions of events from 50 years ago, such as the Emergency, were acceptable in the House while demonetisation was not.
“A few days back, in the same house, wasn’t Emergency discussed? That happened 50 years ago. Why can’t I speak on demonetisation?”
Banerjee criticised the 2024 budget claiming it lacked vision and accused it of being crafted to appease BJP allies rather than addressing the needs of India’s 1.4 billion people. He argued that the budget was designed to benefit the BJP’s coalition partners, JDU and TDP, and said the “anti-people” budget was crafted to “bribe two political parties and buy time before the government implodes”.
N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JDU have played a key role in the BJP’s ability to form the government. Banerjee alleged that the budget disproportionately favours Bihar and Andhra Pradesh—states governed by BJP allies—while neglecting other regions.
“This is a budget planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith,” he said, adding that it was “planned by two, executed for two”.
Earlier, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit back sharply at the Trinamool Congress’s criticisms, questioning why West Bengal would now criticise the Budget when several schemes introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past decade have not been implemented in the state.
Banerjee challenged Sitharaman to release a white paper detailing the funds allocated to West Bengal since the BJP’s 2021 state election loss.
Banerjee also accused the central government of withholding MGNREGA funds and delaying disbursements for homes under the PM Awas Yojana in Bengal. He claimed that money meant for housing was diverted to buy aircraft worth Rs 8,000 crore and fund the Central Vista project, which cost Rs 20,000 crore, while many in the country remain homeless.
During the debate, Speaker Om Birla reminded members to avoid commenting on individuals who are not Lok Sabha members. This drew a strong reaction from the Trinamool Congress members.
“I want to clarify, the Chair said we should not comment on those who are not members of this House. I want to ask you, is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a member of this House? Why did they comment? Please maintain the respect of your Chair and make them apologise. Then I will continue, you have to intervene,” Banerjee said.
In response, Birla said, “You can continue if you wish, but I have removed her name from the record. You cannot direct me.”
Banerjee wrapped up his speech with a pointed warning to the BJP: “You (BJP) are on borrowed time. Kursi ki peti bandh lijiye, mausam bigarne wala hai.”
