New Delhi, July 2, 2024 — Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Maitra returned to the Indian Parliament with a vengeance after her expulsion on bribery charges. The MP from Krishnanagar launched a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her first speech in the 18th Lok Sabha session on Monday.

Maitra, who was expelled from Parliament on December 8, 2023, for allegedly asking questions in return for bribes, likened her expulsion to the disrobing of Draupadi from the Mahabharata, stating that Parliament had turned into a gathering of Kauravas on the day of her expulsion. She warned that her ousting would only strengthen her resolve and the support from her constituency, comparing the people of Krishnanagar to Lord Krishna in their support for her.

In her fiery speech, Maitra criticized Prime Minister Modi, who was not present in the Lok Sabha at the time. She called out to Modi, asking him not to be afraid and to listen to her, but he left the meeting room before she could begin. She accused the government of attacking opposition members and those resisting the centralization of power and wealth.

Maitra highlighted the results of the Lok Sabha polls, pointing out that the BJP had failed to secure a majority in the 543-seat Parliament, and warned that attempts to silence her would only backfire. She presented statistics showing that BJP members who participated in her expulsion lost their seats in the elections, while she was re-elected.

Referring to Modi's public meetings, Maitra claimed that the BJP had lost most of the constituencies where the Prime Minister campaigned. She sarcastically remarked that even Lord Ram would struggle to win votes for the BJP and questioned the party's inability to field candidates in three constituencies in Kashmir.

Maitra's return to Parliament marks a significant moment in Indian politics, as she continues to challenge the ruling party and advocate for her constituency amid a highly polarized political environment.