Amid huge outrage and calls for his resignation and even arrest, the Trinamool Congress will decide on the fate of Tapas Pal today. (File photo)
Soon after Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal issued a letter of apology on Tuesday for his shocking comment on rape caught on camera, 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. (
Mamata Banerjee 'Deeply Pained' by Rape Remark; Tapas Pal Apologises)
This footage is reportedly from the same day, some time in mid-June, when Mr Pal had told Trinamool supporters in Choumaha village of West Bengal, "If any CPI-M man is present here...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." (
'Will Ask My Boys to Rape CPM Women': For Trinamool MP's Shocker, Wife Apologises)
In the second footage, Mr Pal is seen at a party workers' meeting in another 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."
(Watch video here)
He also says, "Try and kill a CPM 'ka bachcha'.... Let me see who catches you."
Amid huge outrage and calls for his resignation and even arrest, the Trinamool Congress will decide on his fate today. The BJP too has decided to send a CD of Tapas Pal's remarks to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and demand his immediate removal. Meanwhile, the local BJP has said it will file an FIR against the MP and also plans to take a CD to the Bengal Governor. (
Put Tapas Pal Behind Bars: BJP)
Party chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, described variously by Trinamool leaders as "anguished" and "hopping mad," said her MPs letter - he also wrote one to the party - was not enough and that he would have to apologise in public.
But she generated some controversy of her own when she snapped at reporters who wanted to know what action would be taken against Mr Pal. "What do you want me to do about him, kill him? she said. (
'Should I Kill Him?': Mamata to Reporters on MP's Rape Remark Row)