You don't have to have a 56-inch chest and beat it every day to be a strong leader, says Mahua Moitra

TMC MP from West Bengal Mahua Moitra took a dig at PM Modi for his 2014 "56-inch" comment, saying that even Mamata Banerjee .

Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal Mahua Moitra on Tuesday, July 5, took a dig at PM Modi for his 2014 "56-inch" comment. She said that to be a strong leader, one did not need a 56-inch chest and beat it every day.

Moitra was speaking at the fifth edition of the India Today Conclave East that began in Kolkata on Monday, July 4.

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Speaking at the session titled ‘Democratic Discourse: Power Reset: The New Structure of Indian Federalism’, Moitra said: “Naveen Patnaik is a strong leader, Mamata Banerjee is a strong leader. You don't have to have a 56-inch chest and beat it every day to be a strong leader.” She was answering a question on the possible leaders who could lead a united front.

PM Modi made the “56-inch chest” comment at a rally in Uttar Pradesh in the run-up to the 2014 elections. Narendra Modi, then the Gujarat Chief Minister, had said that it would take a "56-inch chest" to develop UP on a par with Gujarat.

Speaking about the need for a united Opposition, she said “Mamata Banerjee was the first person to say ‘I am not interested in being the leader of a pack’. She said that let’s discuss issues and take on the BJP.”

Moitra also jumped into the ‘smoking Kaali’ poster controversy, saying: “Religion should remain in the personal ambit and as long as I am not interfering in your space, I should be allowed that.”