Mamata 'deeply saddened' by Pal's rape remarks

WB Education Minister said he has been cautioned and an explanation has been sought from him

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is "deeply saddened" by party MP Tapas Pal's alleged remarks threatening to kill CPI(M) workers and have their women raped, party secretary general Partha Chatterjee said today.

"Such kind of comment is condemnable. Our party leader is deeply saddened beyond comprehension. The matter came to her notice yesterday. He has been cautioned and an explanation has been sought from him. The party does not support this kind of conduct," the West Bengal Education Minister said during a press conference at the Assembly premises.

Asked whether the administration would take action against the errant MP, he said "I have informed you about the views of the party. The administration will speak for itself."

Another senior TMC leader and Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee said that a decision in this regard would be taken at a meeting of party MPs tomorrow.

The TMC supremo has convened the meeting to chalk out a strategy for the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament.

On Opposition's hue and cry over the issue and demand for stern action against Pal, Chatterjee said "The CPI(M) has no right to say so, given what they had done in the past.

"It is not that we have to follow the footsteps of what others had done," Chatterjee said referring to instances of senior CPI(M) leader Anisur Rahman's derogatory comments against Banerjee at in 2012 and Banerjee being pulled by the hair and driven out from the Writers Building when Jyoti Basu was chief minister.

TMC yesterday demanded from the actor-turned MP to give an explanation in writing within 48 hours on why he made such remarks.

Pal, a Bengali film actor, was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Krishnagar constituency in Nadia district twice on TMC ticket in 2009 and 2014.