Kolkata: CPI(M) leader Anisur Rahman was at the centre of a controversy today over his derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the context of West Bengal government`s monetary compensation to rape victims.
Trinamool Congress submitted a notice of privilege against Rahman in the state Assembly and threatened to slap a legal notice on him while his party too voiced disapproval and said it will seek an explanation from the MLA. BJP and Congress also condemned the remarks.
With his remarks kicking up a political storm, Rahman, deputy leader of the CPI(M) in the House, tendered an apology.
"For the last 21 years I have been an MLA in the state. I have never said anything like this before and this will not happen again in future. I apologise before all the people of the state," Rahman said reading out a statement before the media in the evening without taking any questions.
TMC leader and Industry and Parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters that Rahman has used words about a woman which cannot be told. "It has tarnished the culture of Bengal and lowered our heads."
"Such use of foul language is unheard of in the political history of Bengal," said Chatterjee, who submitted video and newspaper clippings about the comments made at a rally at Itahar in North Dinajpur district yesterday to the assembly secretary along with the privilege notice.
"We hope the Speaker will take up the matter. We will demand appropriate punishment," he said.
Panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee said, "I feel ashamed to think that he was a minister in the erstwhile Left Front government. People will know whom they have sent to the assembly. Does he not have sisters at home?"
Counsel for Trinamool Congress, Rajdeep Majumdar, told PTI a legal notice would be sent to the CPI(M) headquarters and to the CPI(M) leader seeking an unconditional apology within 48 hours.
"If the apology is not tendered, we will file a defamation suit before the appropriate court," Majumdar said.
Disapproving Rahman`s remark, CPI(M) state secretariat member Shyamal Chakraborty said, "Anisur has not done the right thing by making such comments. He is not that sort of man. I will inquire why he suddenly made such a comment. He will be summoned.
PTI
