'PM Modi too mimicked Opposition leaders in Lok Sabha': TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee speaks in defence of his mimicry of Dhankhar

Under criticism Under fire from the members of the Treasury and the BJP-led Centre over his mock impersonation of Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on the Parliament complex, suspended TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday clarified his conduct saying he intended to hurt none.

New Delhi:A day after a video of his mimicry of Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar became viral, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday defended his act saying he sees no wrong in his mimicking Dhankhar as Prime Minister Narendra Modi too was seen doing mimicry on the floor of Parliament.

On mimicry row, Banerjee said, "I have never had any intention to hurt anyone...Does he really behave like this in Rajya Sabha? Mimicry was done by the PM in Lok Sabha between 2014-2019..."

Under criticism Under fire from the members of the Treasury and the BJP-led Centre over his mock impersonation of Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on the Parliament complex, suspended TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday clarified his conduct saying he intended to hurt none.

A video went viral earlier showing Banerjee mimicking Dhankhar's mannerisms and physical limitations during a protest by the suspended Opposition members on the stairs of the Parliament on Tuesday. The viral clip drew sharp condemnation from the ruling BJP. The chairman of the Upper House, too, took a serious view of the mimicry and expressed his anguish over it. Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Banerjee said, "I wasn't intending to hurt anyone. I do not know why he is taking this on himself. Does he act like this in the Rajya Sabha?"

He added that he respects the Vice President as they both belong to the same profession -- law. "I respect Dhankar Sahib a lot. He's also a senior advocate, I'm too. I've great respect for Dhankar-ji. Firstly, he belongs in the same profession as me and secondly, because he was formerly a governor (of West Bengal). He is our Vice President," Banerjee said.

Also hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the TMC MP said, "Even the PM mimicked Opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha between 2014 and 2019. He did it. But everyone took it as harmless humour, not seriously. Now, if they are taking it seriously in my case, I can't help it." Meanwhile, reacting to the mimicry incident, the chairman in the Upper House asked the LoP to prevail upon Opposition members to not indulge in indecorous conduct. He said he would swallow personal insults in the discharge of his duty to protect the dignity of his office.

2. Suspended Opposition MPs conduct mock Parliament session; TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee mimics Jagdeep Dhankhar