Kolkata:
Mamata Banerjee, reportedly "anguished" at the shocking comments on rape made by her party's MP Tapas Pal, this evening said he would have to "apologise in public", but also said, "What do you want me to do about him, kill him? (
Mamata Banerjee 'Deeply Pained' by Rape Remark; Tapas Pal Apologises)
Some time before that, Mr Pal had issued a letter of apology for saying, while addressing supporters of his Trinamool Congress in mid-June this year, "If CPIM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) tries to kill and intimidate our workers... I will not spare them. I will let loose my men to rape their women." (
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Ms Banerjee made clear that she wanted a public apology from her MP. But amid demands that she take stringent action against him, she said, "'He committed a blunder. He has been cautioned by the party. What else do you want me to do?" (
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Meanwhile, another video recording surfaced today of Mr Pal making a second address to supporters in another village. In this he says he will try and get the death sentence for an alleged criminal. And that if he cannot do that he will "shoot them dead. I will kill them in front of everybody". Mr Pal is believed to have made these comments on the same day as his earlier ones. (
Put Tapas Pal Behind Bars: BJP)
In his letter of apology, addressed to "All of you" and copied to his party chief, other Trinamool leaders and the media, Mr Pal said, "Some remarks made by me in the heat and dust of the election campaign have caused dismay and consternation. I apologise unreservedly for them. Whatever the provocation - and there was an attempt at provocation - those comments should never have been made," the 55-year-old MP has written. (
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He apologised to his family and colleagues and "particularly to all women in our society and to those in the media who highlighted the issue," adding, "I have no excuses to offer. It was a gross error of judgement and deeply insensitive. It should not have happened. And I assure you it will not happen again. Once more, a humble apology."
Trinamool leaders distanced the party from Mr Pal's remarks and said Ms Banerjee was "deeply anguished" and "hopping mad" at the MP.
The Congress has demanded his arrest, the CPM has demanded that he be suspended at the very least.