‘Outright Abuse’: Kalyan Responds To Mahua’s ‘Wrestle With Pig’ Remark As TMC Rift Widens

Last Updated:August 04, 2025, 19:21 IST

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee criticised Mahua Moitra for comparing him to a pig, calling it "dehumanising language."

TMC MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee on Monday lashed out at her party colleague in the Lok Sabha, Mahua Moitra, over her alleged controversial remarks made during a recent podcast that likened him to a pig.

Banerjee accused her of using “dehumanising language" and compared her comments to “outright abuse."

“I have taken note of the recent personal remarks made by Ms. Mahua Moitra in a public podcast. Her choice of words, including the use of dehumanising language such as comparing a fellow MP to a “pig", is not only unfortunate but reflects a deep disregard for basic norms of civil discourse," he said in a post on X.

“Those who think invective can replace substance should take a hard look at the kind of politics they are practising – and the hollowness it exposes. When a public representative stoops to name-calling and coarse innuendo, it reflects not strength, but insecurity," he added.

The Serampore MP further weighed in on his earlier statements, saying they focused on questions of public accountability and conduct, and were not misogynistic.

“What I did speak about were questions of public accountability and personal conduct, which every public figure must be prepared to face — man or woman. If those facts are inconvenient or uncomfortable, it does not justify branding legitimate criticism as “misogyny" to escape scrutiny. Labeling a male colleague as ‘sexually frustrated’ isn’t boldness — it’s outright abuse. If such language were directed at a woman, there would be nationwide outrage, and rightly so. But when a man is the target, it’s dismissed or even applauded," he added.

Banerjee further claimed that Moitra was using personal attacks to deflect from questions regarding her performance as an MP.

“Those who rely on abuse instead of answers are not champions of democracy; they are its embarrassment," the MP said.

What Mahua Moitra Said?

Banerjee’s response came a day after Moitra triggered a row by referring her party colleague using a scathing metaphor that likened him to a pig.

“You don’t wrestle with a pig. Because the pig likes it and you get dirty," Moitra said during a podcast. The comment came in response to Banerjee’s recent personal attacks on her marriage to former BJD MP and senior advocate Pinaki Misra.

BJP Takes Jibe

Meanwhile, the West Bengal unit of the BJP took a dig and shared Moitra’s podcast on its social media platform.

“TMC’s Mahua Moitra who is under investigation for compromising her parliamentary login to help a businessman dig up info on competitors has now called her own party colleague, senior MP Kalyan Banerjee, a PIG, " it said.

“What does this say about the internal rot, ego clashes, and sheer chaos within the TMC? And these are the people claiming to uphold democracy and values," read the BJP post.

The conflict between two senior TMC leaders began in April when Moitra confronted Banerjee at Parliament. The confrontation reportedly occurred because Moitra’s name was not included in a party memorandum. This led to a heated argument witnessed by other MPs. Afterwards, Banerjee publicly accused Moitra of asking security personnel to arrest him, calling her “rude" and “uncivilised."

News politics ‘Outright Abuse’: Kalyan Responds To Mahua’s ‘Wrestle With Pig’ Remark As TMC Rift Widens

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