CPI(M) demands stern action against Tapas Pal

Pal allegedly threatened to kill CPI(M) workers and have their women raped

CPI(M) today demanded stern action including lodging of police cases against Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal for "inciting violence and rape" against Left workers, saying its members would also move against him in Parliament.

"Police has to immediately file cases charging him with criminal intimidation and abetment to violence and the law has to take its course.... Parliament should also take cognizance of this sort of speech. I am sure this matter will be raised in Parliament," party General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters here.

"The problem in West Bengal is that under the Trinamool government, no action is taken against attacks and violence against the CPI(M) and the opposition," Karat said.

In a statement, the CPI(M) Politburo said, "This atrocious speech gives an indication of the actual situation in West Bengal where the TMC are subjecting CPI(M) and the opposition to systematic violence, intimidation and threats to their livelihood, with the state administration conniving in such anti-democratic activities."

Pal's inciting of "violence and rape against CPI(M) workers and women is shocking and obnoxious. He threatened murder, destruction of homes of CPI(M) men and to send his boys to rape the women there."

Pal, who is also an actor, allegedly threatened to kill CPI-M workers and have their women raped if a single ruling party worker was attacked.

The controversial comment has triggered an uproar and sparked condemnation by opposition parties.