'When Speaker Speaks, He Speaks Right': Om Birla's Sharp Response To Abhishek Banerjee

A heated exchange occurred between Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee during the Budget 2024 discussion on Wednesday. Banerjee asserted that the House did not discuss the three farm laws, which were later repealed. However, the Chair insisted that such a discussion did take place.

Banerjee, representing West Bengal's Diamond Harbour, criticised the Centre for passing agricultural bills "without any consultation with farmers, farmer organisations or Opposition parties." He argued that these laws were pushed through without proper dialogue.

Speaker's Intervention

The Speaker intervened to clarify the record. "Let's set the record straight, this House discussed the issue for five-and-a-half hours," said Om Birla. Despite this, Banerjee maintained his stance that no discussion had occurred.

Birla responded firmly, "When the Speaker speaks, he speaks right. You correct yourself." Banerjee remained adamant, leading Birla to reiterate, "When I speak, I don't speak wrong."

Criticism of Budget 2024

Abhishek Banerjee also took aim at the Narendra Modi-led government over Budget 2024. He claimed it lacked "clarity of vision" and was designed to appease BJP coalition partners rather than provide relief to citizens. "This is a budget planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith," he remarked.

He further alleged that the budget was crafted to "bribe two political parties and buy time before the government implodes." His comments highlighted his belief that the budget served narrow political interests instead of addressing broader economic needs.

Sitharaman's Response

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to Trinamool's criticism of the Budget. She pointed out that several schemes introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade had not been implemented in West Bengal.

"Yesterday, the TMC questioned the Budget, saying nothing has been given to Bengal. Let me highlight the fact that several schemes given by the Prime Minister in the last 10 years have not even been implemented in West Bengal. And you have the audacity to ask me now?" Sitharaman stated in Rajya Sabha.