‘Honeymoon’ Jibe vs ‘Misogyny’ Charge: TMC MPs Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee Clash Over Kolkata Gangrape Case

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing internal turbulence after senior party MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra engaged in a bitter war of words over the gangrape of a law student at South Kolkata Law College — a controversy that has now spilled into the public domain just months ahead of the Bengal assembly polls.

The conflict erupted after Mahua Moitra slammed Banerjee’s controversial remarks on the incident, calling them “disgusting” and “anti-woman.” Banerjee had earlier questioned the need for constant police presence in schools, stating:

“What can be done if a friend rapes a friend? Will police be present in every school?”

The comment sparked outrage, with many, including Moitra, accusing Banerjee of insensitivity and victim-blaming.

In retaliation, Banerjee launched a personal attack on Moitra, dragging her personal life into the debate:

“She came back after one and a half months of honeymoon and started fighting with me. She calls me anti-woman, but what is she? She broke up a 40-year-old marriage and married a 65-year-old man. Didn’t she hurt another woman?”

TMC Disowns Remarks, Moitra Hits Back

The TMC quickly distanced itself from Banerjee’s statement, saying his and MLA Madan Mitra’s remarks were made in a “personal capacity.”

“The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same,” the TMC posted on X.

Moitra responded sharply, using the opportunity to highlight misogyny within political circles:

“Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates @AITCofficial is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them.”

Political Fallout and BJP’s Offensive

The public spat has added to the TMC’s woes, especially with the 2025 assembly elections approaching. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized the opportunity to attack Mamata Banerjee’s government over the gangrape, demanding her resignation and alleging that main accused Manojit Mishra has links to the ruling party — a claim the TMC has vehemently denied.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police have arrested four people, including three key accused, and recovered CCTV footage and forensic evidence that support the survivor’s allegations.

Bigger Crisis for TMC?

The open feud between two prominent MPs — one of them a key national face of the party — underscores deeper internal rifts in the TMC. Political observers believe that such public discord not only damages the party’s image but also threatens to overshadow key electoral narratives, especially on issues like women’s safety and governance.