New Delhi : Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking his intervention over alleged threatening remarks by West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay against party MP Abhishek Banerjee, saying they pose a direct threat to the latter’s life.
In his letter, Azad cited a speech by Mukhopadhyay in which the minister allegedly said, “Uni ekhono benche achhen” (He is still alive), and went on to express doubt over Banerjee “staying alive”.
“Threatening someone’s life is against all norms of democracy and everything the Constitution stands for,” Azad said in the letter, arguing that the remarks were particularly serious as they came from a serving minister who holds executive office and is accountable for the state’s police.
Azad urged the speaker to take cognisance of the remarks, seek a formal explanation from the West Bengal government and ask the Union Home Ministry and competent security agencies to urgently review the threat perception to Banerjee and ensure his protection.
The TMC MP also referred to two earlier incidents involving Banerjee, including an attack on him by a mob at Sonarpur in May this year and an incident at Kolkata airport on June 19, when a man allegedly carrying a firearm was caught by party supporters near the arrival area.
The letter also mentioned alleged attacks on TMC workers and party offices, including Banerjee’s offices at Camac Street in Kolkata and Amtala in his Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency.
“I am not asking you to protect any member from criticism. I am asking that a minister be required to explain why he spoke in these terms about the life of a Member of Parliament,” Azad said.
He said the life and safety of a member of the House should remain beyond the bounds of political contestation.
