Trinamool MP's wife apologises for his rape remark

Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Paul's wife Tuesday apologised for his rape remark that has triggered outrage across the country.

"I apologise for his comment. I am saying sorry on his behalf," Nandini told media persons here.

The MP from Krishnanagar in Nadia district has been caught on tape, addressing party workers, threatening and warning CPI-M men to beware of him, saying he will gun them down and unleash his men to rape their women.

Nandini, however, said Paul was provoked to make the remarks.

"There is no question of supporting it. But there is another part of the story, which provoked him to do that. The entire incident had happened long back, and there is another story that led to such a thing," added Nadini.

There has been growing outrage across the country and people have been demanding his arrest.

"I am totally stunned to hear his remarks. I have worked with him and never thought he could utter such things. This is shameful," said eminent actor, director Aparna Sen.

Noted novelist Suchitra Bhattacharya said: "It is highly alarming that an elected representative is publicly threatening to let loose men to rape. We strongly condemn the remarks and stringent action should be taken against him."

The Trinamool has sought an explanation from him and leaders cutting across political lines have demanded exemplary punishment to him, including his arrest.

Bengali news channels Monday telecast Paul warning Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) men to "beware" of him as he won't "spare them and destroy their entire clan".

"If a CPI-M man dares to touch anybody, Tapas Paul will not spare him. I will take out my gun and shoot him. I always carry a gun... I will destroy his entire clan," Paul is seen in the video clip as telling his party workers in Choumaha village.

"I warn my opponents... If anything happens to my mothers or sisters, my party workers, I will not spare them, I will have the last word. I will make their family pay dearly. I will ask my boys to go there. They will rape them and leave," says Paul, with his supporters shockingly cheering the MP's every word.

"If I hear a single incident, I get a witness, I won't spare," he is heard saying.