Kolkata: Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee on Friday extended an olive branch to Lok Sabha colleague Kalyan Banerjee, stating that Kalyan "had every right to criticise him." This came a day after the senior advocate called on party chief Mamata Banerjee to choose between him and her nephew. In response, Kalyan remarked that Abhishek was like his own son.
Background of the Dispute
Kalyan had expressed anger on Thursday after being asked to hand over Abhishek's case in the Calcutta High Court to a lawyer junior to him. The incident led to tensions between the two leaders.
Abhishek's Statement
Speaking to the media, Abhishek said, "Kalyan Banerjee has every right to criticise me. He has raised me. He has seen me since I was a child. I am neither angry nor hurt. I have always respected him and will continue to do so."
Kalyan's Response
Kalyan responded to the overture, telling TOI: "Abhishek is like my own child. As an elder, I deserve a certain amount of respect. If he shows me that basic respect, I can embrace him and work with him. I have absolutely no objection to that. My hope is he will correct his mistakes and become a bigger neta."
He added, "I want nothing, only respect. We will all work together under Mamata Di. In coming days, we have to fight the battle to restore democracy in Bengal as well as across the country."
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