Mamata clarifies: Didn't say want to beat PM up

Congress hits the road seeking apology

Amid fierce criticism from ally-turned-foe Congress, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said, she had never talked about beating up the Prime Minister.

“What did I say? I said, I met Prime Minister seven-eight times regarding financial position. I can only meet and talk in a democracy, can not hit. What is wrong? I did not say that I will beat him up,” Banerjee said at a public meeting on Tuesday.

Accusing a section of the media for maligning her government, the chief minister added, “Those of you who are distorting my words, I would like to tell them please follow the language. Do not put half-baked sentences.”

Congress, however, refused to accept Banerjee's clarification. “Whatever she (Mamata Banerjee) says, it is all over television. The tone and indication need to be condemned. Given the words were coming from chief minister, this is unfortunate,” state Congress leader and Union Minister of State for Urban Development Deepa Dasmunshi said.

Union Minister of state for Railways Adhir Chowdhury sought an apology from Mamata Banerjee for her comments. “She should understand her words are recored. She has crossed all limits of decency. There is no point in clarifying. We will not let it go, unless she apologises,” he said.

West Bengal Congress on Tuesday carried out a protest rally in some parts of the state to condemn the chief minister's remarks. Opposition Left too, critcised the Banerjee for her comments on Prime minister.

Yesterday, while citing the Centre's alleged apathy towards the state, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had said, ““In 2010, 2011 and 2012 I met Prime Minister ten times. I cannot do anything more than this. Should I beat him up? If I do, then you will say, I have become a goon.”