Tapas Paul advised 'complete bed rest'

The condition of Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Paul - embroiled in a controversy over his rape and violence remarks - has improved slightly, an official of a nursing home where he is admitted, said Tuesday.

He has been advised complete bed rest, said an official at the Bellevue Clinic here.

Paul, an MP from Bengal's Krishnanagar, has drawn severe criticism after he was caught on tape exhorting party workers to kill CPI-M activists even as he himself asserted he will gun down his rivals and let loose his "boys" to rape their women.

Pal hit the headlines June 30 when a couple of regional channels aired video footage that shows him threatening opposition members with rape and murder during a June 14 rally at Choumaha in Bengal's Nadia district.

Paul, a chronic back pain patient, was admitted to Bellevue Clinic, a South Kolkata nursing home, at 8 p.m. Sunday after he complained of a sudden increase in blood pressure. He also had high fever.

"His condition is better... it has improved slightly. Blood pressure is under control and there is no fever. A few investigations still remain to be done.

"Back pain continues as before. He is on a light diet and has been advised total bed rest," Bellevue Clinic chief executive officer Pradip Tandon told IANS.

West Bengal's opposition parties have claimed that Paul got himself admitted to the nursing home only to prepare the ground for staying away from parliament.

Notwithstanding the countrywide clamour for Paul's arrest and expulsion from parliament, the Trinamool has sought to end the matter with an apology which he tendered to his party and the media last Tuesday.