*Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Tapas Paul issued an unconditional apology on Tuesday after party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee instructed him to explain his tirade threatening Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) women workers of rape.*
In his apology letter to the party's senior leadership and the media on Tuesday, Paul wrote: "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." Paul, who spoke to an English news channel, claimed he never used the word "rape" but used "raid" instead.
The letter came a day after Mamata called for a meeting of party MPs on Wednesday to decide on what course of action should be taken against Paul and gave the MP a 48-hour ultimatum to file a written explanation. The party made it clear that the MP could face suspension and sterner punishment.
Although the party chief did not issue any official statement on Paul's comments and left it to senior leaders with instructions to handle the matter, she said in a public meeting in Raidighi that she would not tolerate politics of murder and terror.
"No one will be spared if they are practising murder and terror. Even party workers will not be spared," she said after meeting families of TMC supporters killed in political violence, seemingly hinting at Paul and other party leaders making inflammatory statements.
Reacting to Paul's statement, party general secretary Mukul Roy told reporters: "His comment is condemnable. The party does not approve of it. The party has sought an explanation from him. The party demanded that he tender an unconditional apology to the people for his comment."
Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee said that a decision would be taken at a meeting of party MPs on Wednesday, which will be presided by Mamata.
Paul's tale of woes seems to have just begun with the Union Home Ministry seeking a report from the state government. The ministry has asked for the facts and if any action has been taken.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter, besides writing to President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the chief minister seeking Paul's expulsion from Parliament.
The Left has also decided to move a privilege motion in Parliament against Paul.
Meanwhile, TMC's Bankura district president, Arup Chakraborty, caused further trouble as he egged on party workers to "sacrifice" intruders.
Aired by a Bengali news channel, the video shows Chakraborty saying: "If any outsider enters your house, cut him down, sacrifice him. I will take care of things. You don't have to worry."
Asserting that his comments were harmless, Chakraborty told reporters on Tuesday that he was talking about the right to self-defence. "If somebody attacks my house or is forcibly taking out our women, should I be a mute spectator? Won't I exercise my right to defend?" he said. Reported by Deccan Herald 22 minutes ago.
In his apology letter to the party's senior leadership and the media on Tuesday, Paul wrote: "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." Paul, who spoke to an English news channel, claimed he never used the word "rape" but used "raid" instead.
The letter came a day after Mamata called for a meeting of party MPs on Wednesday to decide on what course of action should be taken against Paul and gave the MP a 48-hour ultimatum to file a written explanation. The party made it clear that the MP could face suspension and sterner punishment.
Although the party chief did not issue any official statement on Paul's comments and left it to senior leaders with instructions to handle the matter, she said in a public meeting in Raidighi that she would not tolerate politics of murder and terror.
"No one will be spared if they are practising murder and terror. Even party workers will not be spared," she said after meeting families of TMC supporters killed in political violence, seemingly hinting at Paul and other party leaders making inflammatory statements.
Reacting to Paul's statement, party general secretary Mukul Roy told reporters: "His comment is condemnable. The party does not approve of it. The party has sought an explanation from him. The party demanded that he tender an unconditional apology to the people for his comment."
Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee said that a decision would be taken at a meeting of party MPs on Wednesday, which will be presided by Mamata.
Paul's tale of woes seems to have just begun with the Union Home Ministry seeking a report from the state government. The ministry has asked for the facts and if any action has been taken.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter, besides writing to President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the chief minister seeking Paul's expulsion from Parliament.
The Left has also decided to move a privilege motion in Parliament against Paul.
Meanwhile, TMC's Bankura district president, Arup Chakraborty, caused further trouble as he egged on party workers to "sacrifice" intruders.
Aired by a Bengali news channel, the video shows Chakraborty saying: "If any outsider enters your house, cut him down, sacrifice him. I will take care of things. You don't have to worry."
Asserting that his comments were harmless, Chakraborty told reporters on Tuesday that he was talking about the right to self-defence. "If somebody attacks my house or is forcibly taking out our women, should I be a mute spectator? Won't I exercise my right to defend?" he said. Reported by Deccan Herald 22 minutes ago.