Trinamool Congress leaders spark controversies, state election commission seeks report

Kolkata: A day after a Trinamool Congress district president allegedly asked partymen to attack police with bombs and burn houses of independent candidates, a party MP on Thursday asked TMC activists to "beat up CPI(M) workers with shoes".

Taking cognisance of the incidents, the State Election Commission has sought a report from the Birbhum district magistrate and Superintendent of Police on the controversial comments made by Anubrata Mondal, the Trinamool district president.

"We have asked the DM and SP of Birbhum district to submit a report on Anubrata Mondal's purported remarks," State Election Commissioner Mira Pandey told PTI.

Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnagar, Tapas Pal told a rally during the day at Tehatta in Nadia district, "I am Tapas Pal. I am a member of parliament. I am basically a soldier of Trinamool Congress. Become soldiers of Trinamool Congress.

"Beat up CPI-M cadres with shoes the moment you find them."

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Meanwhile, an independent candidate Rabilal Soren was kidnapped and his house set on fire on Wednesday night at Gopalpur village near Kasba in Birbhum district, police said.

Trinamool MP Satabdi Roy sought to distance the party from Mr Mondal's comments.

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"I think that it is personal opinion and not of the party. I can never support such comments of throwing bombs on the police and setting fire to houses (of independent candidates)," she said.

However, Mr Mondal, during a press-meet in Bolpur at the party office during the day, said, "I did not intend to ask partymen to hurl bombs on the police. It was a slip of the tongue."