Mamata on Tapas Pal's Rape Remark: 'What Else Do You Want Me To Do, Kill Him?'

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today termed the insensitive comments made by her party leader Tapas Pal as a "big blunder" and claimed that he had been "cautioned" by the party. (Mamata Banerjee 'Deeply Pained' by Rape Remark; Tapas Pal Apologises)

She also said Mr Pal he would have to apologise in public, indicating that an "apology letter" written by Mr Pal was not enough to absolve him.

On footage aired by local channels, Mr Pal, a popular Bengali actor and a Trinamool MP, was seen telling his supporters in an address in May, "If CPIM (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." ('Will Ask My Boys to Rape CPM Women': For Trinamool MP's Shocker, Wife Apologises)

Opposition parties reacted with outrage, demanding Mr Pal's resignation and arrest, while his own party hastily distanced itself from the shocking comment. (Put Tapas Pal Behind Bars: BJP)

The Trinamool Congress chief, according to party leaders, was "hopping mad" at Mr Pal.

She later told media personnel at a press conference in Diamond Harbour near Kolkata. "I condemn Tapas's statement. He must apologise in public" .

But when queried on whether the party will take action against Mr Pal, Ms Banerjee retorted, "What else do you want me to do, kill him?"  

Mr Pal has already written what his party called a letter of "unconditional apology."

"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," the 55-year-old MP has written. (Another Embarrassment for Mamata's party. This Leader Wants Intruders 'Sacrificed')

Addressed to "All of you" and copied to his party chief, other Trinamool leaders and the media, Mr Pal's letter says, "I have no excuses to offer. It was a gross error of judgment and deeply insensitive. It should not have happened. And I assure you it will not happen again."