Tapas Pal's Rape Threat: Trinamool Spares MP With An Apology

"Tapas Pal's remarks were unacceptable, in bad taste. But he apologised unconditionally and the tone of his apology was very contrite, so we have accepted his apology," Trinamool leader Derek O' Brien said after a meeting this evening.

Trinamool chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had snapped at the media this morning and said, "What do you want me to do about him, kill him?"

Hours before that, Mr Pal, 55, had issued a letter of apology for saying in a speech to his party workers, "If CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) tries to kill and intimidate our workers, I will not spare them. I will let loose my men to rape their women."

Mamata Banerjee, who said she was anguished at the statement, asked Mr Pal for a public apology. But asked about tougher action, she said, "He committed a blunder. He has been cautioned by the party. What else do you want me to do?"

In his apology, addressed to "All of you", Mr Pal said, "Some remarks made by me in the heat and dust of the election campaign have caused dismay and consternation. I apologise unreservedly for them. Whatever the provocation - and there was an attempt at provocation - those comments should never have been made."

Mr Pal also apologised to his family and colleagues and "particularly to all women in our society and to those in the media who highlighted the issue," adding, "I have no excuses to offer. It was a gross error of judgement and deeply insensitive. It should not have happened. And I assure you it will not happen again. Once more, a humble apology."

Even as he struggled to extricate himself from this scandal, the MP faced demands for his arrest over a second video recording from his speech in another village. In this he is seen asking party supporters to slit the throats of opposition workers and threatening to personally shoot them dead.

In the second footage, Mr Pal is seen at a party workers' meeting in a village called Tehatto. He tells them, "I am saying this. Those who kill people can't be humans...As long as I am with you, don't spare any CPI(M) worker. I am telling my boys...I am also telling women that you must be aware of botis (the Bengali version of a knife). Just slit their throats with them."

A lawyer has filed a Public Interest Litigation with the Kolkata High Court seeking Mr Pal's arrest.

Several political parties, including the ruling BJP, say action must be taken against the MP. The BJP has decided to send a CD of Mr Pal's remarks to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and demand his immediate removal.