Teleprompter Tycoon Remark: Derek O’Brien Targets PM Over Parliament Silence

In a sharp political attack, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running away from speaking in Parliament. O’Brien, who serves as TMC’s leader in the Rajya Sabha, described Modi as a “teleprompter tycoon” and dismissed his recent interview with PTI as “hollow words.”  

The criticism comes in the backdrop of the recently concluded Budget session, where the Lok Sabha passed the Motion of Thanks without the Prime Minister’s customary reply. This unusual development followed relentless sloganeering by Opposition members, which disrupted proceedings.  

O’Brien argued that while Modi chose to give interviews outside Parliament, he avoided engaging directly with lawmakers on critical national issues. His remarks reflect the Opposition’s growing frustration over what they perceive as the Prime Minister’s reluctance to face parliamentary debate.  

Key highlights from the announcement include  

• Derek O’Brien calls PM Modi a “teleprompter tycoon”  
• TMC leader dismisses Modi’s interview as “hollow words”  
• Lok Sabha passed Motion of Thanks without PM’s reply  
• Opposition protests disrupted Budget session proceedings  
• Criticism centers on PM avoiding direct engagement in Parliament  

Political analysts note that such confrontations underscore the widening rift between the government and Opposition, with parliamentary debates increasingly overshadowed by sharp exchanges outside the House.  

Sources: PTI, ThePrint, The Economic Times