CPI-M leader draws flak for indecent attack on Mamata, apologises

Kolkata April 3 (IANS) Facing widespread flak from the civil society and police complaint for his distasteful comments about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee senior CPI-M leader Gautam Deb on Monday issued an apology.

Speaking at a rally organised by the Left students unions on Sunday Deb had launched a vitriolic attack on Banerjee calling her names and even raising questions about her personal life.

Deb s comments drew sharp reaction from writers theatre personalities and writers who said his comments had shamed everybody and asked the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) to make him withdraw the remarks.

On Monday a complaint was lodged at Netaji Nagar police station - under whose jurisdiction Sunday s meeting was held - against Deb a former state minister. Another complaint was registered at Uttarpara police station in Hooghly district.

Addressing a public meeting during the day Banerjee responded by saying One should do one s politics but should not spread canards.

Majority of the student organisations which had convened Sunday s meeting also disassociated themselves from the remarks. We don t approve of such indecent attacks they said in a joint statement.

Coming under pressure from various quarters Deb issued a statement on Monday night expressing regret for his remarks.

Deb conceded that what he had said was akin to a personal attack.

It was not my objective to launch a personal attack. I am sorry for this.

--IANS
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