Trinamool to Decide on Controversial MP Tapas Pal: 10 Developments

Several political parties including the ruling BJP have called for action against Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal, and some even for his arrest. The BJP has decided to send a CD of Mr Pal's remarks to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and demand his immediate removal, while its local office in West Bengal has said it will file an FIR and take a CD to the Bengal Governor.

A lawyer has filed a Public Interest Litigation against Mr Pal in the Kolkata High Court urging it to file a suo moto First Information Report (FIR) and arrest the Trinamool Congress MP.

"The question needs to be asked to Mamata Banerjee if she would endorse such statements," BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy had said on Tuesday. CPM leader Brinda Karat had also condemned the remark, saying, "he does not deserve to sit in Parliament", while Congress leader Shobha Oza called for immediate action against the parliamentarian. "His statement is horrendous, shameful. TMC chief should take immediate action against him," she said.

On Tuesday, the 55-year-old MP issued a letter of apology for his shocking comment on rape which was caught on camera.

In his letter of apology, addressed to "All of you" and copied to his party chief, other Trinamool leaders and the media, 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."

On Monday, a footage had surfaced in which Mr Pal is heard telling Trinamool supporters in Choumaha village of West Bengal, "If any CPI-M man is present here. Listen to me...Earlier, you guys have bullied me on various occasions...If you insult the mothers and daughters of Trinamool workers, then I won't spare you. I will let loose my boys in your homes and they will commit rape."

A day after the first footage surfaced, a second video recording was aired by Bengali news channels in which 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."

Trinamool leaders have meanwhile distanced themselves from Mr Pal's remarks. Party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, described variously by Trinamool leaders as "anguished" and "hopping mad," said her MPs letter was not enough and that he would have to apologise in public.