Zee Media Bureau
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress leader Derek O`Brien on Wednesday said that the party had accepted Tapa Pal`s apology and ruled out any action against the party MP.
"Trinamool accepts Pal`s unconditional apology as it believes the letter was written in right spirit, Brien said.
He also quoted West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee as having told the meeting, "Everybody has to be careful and responsible about what they are saying in public".
The meeting which was attended by TMC MPs, senior ministers and zilla sabhadipatis to chalk out the party`s strategy for the upcoming Parliament session as well as to discuss development programmes in the districts.
The TMC has been receiving huge flak from all quarters after Tapas was caught on camera openly threatening to send `his boys` and get women of Opposition party raped. The Congress, CPI(M), BJP and even the NCW demanded strict action against the Krishnanagar MP for such outrageous remarks.
“If anyone from the Opposition dares to touch any woman then I will send my boys and get women of CPI(M) raped,” Pal told a gathering reportedly in his constituency Krishnanagar. He also said that he roams around with `maal` (revolver) and will not hesitate to use it on his opponents.
After huge furore, Pal had written a apology letter to his party and media. Here`s what he 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.
In making them, I have let down my constituents and the people of Bengal, I have let down my party, the Trinamool Congress, and my political colleagues, I have let down my family, including my wife and children and my parents, and my friends. I apologise to all of them, and particularly to all women in our society and to those in the media who highlighted the issue.
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.
The ruling party inWest Bengal on Monday had said that the party did not endorse Pal`s `insensitive` comment against women and maintained that people in public life had to be extra careful in what they say.
Reacting to Pal`s statements, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday described party MP`s hate speech as a "big blunder", but then wondered if she should "kill him" for this and said whatever steps are needed to be taken have been taken.
"It is not just a mistake, it`s big blunder. We have taken whatever steps that are needed to be taken. It is an invididual utterance. What do you want? Should I kill him? What can I do ? Whatever I can do we can do it through our policy", Banerjee said.
