In yet another instance of a Trinamul Congress leader making provocative comments, TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Sunday compared Union minister of state Deepa Das Munshi to a “painted dancer”, saying no one can become a leader simply “by applying makeup”.
In an obvious reference to Ms Das Munshi, Ms Dastidar said: “By dancing and applying makeup, you can’t become a leader. She can never become a leader by applying makeup.” The MP went on to challenge the minister to bring down Trinamul’s Lok Sabha tally from 19 to one in the next general election as she had vowed to do.
“I want to say her: forget about fighting Mamata Banerjee, I challenge you to come to my Lok Sabha constituency and defeat me in the next election,” Ms Dastidar said.
Ms Das Munshi refused to comment on Ms Dastidar’s remarks, saying: “I don’t want to comment on such provocative and cheap comments. Such kind of comments are against the tradition of Bengal and is against the tradition of the Congress.”
West Bengal PCC chief Pradip Bhattacharya said Ms Das Munshi had been targeted by Trinamul MPs as she was fighting against the Trinamul Congress’ “misrule” in the state.