WB shame: Left leader asks what's CM's charge to get raped

, Dec 28: Just when the country witnessed a huge uproar over the sexist comment made by the son of President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Abhijit Mukherjee, who is an MP from

, another Bengali politician made a obscene comment on the state's chief minister,

. Anisur Rahman, a senior CPI(M) MLA and former state minister, while addressing a public rally in North Dinajpur district, asked how much Banerjee would charge to get raped.

Rahman, while referring to the CM's recent announcement to grant Rs 20,000 to a rape victim, said, "This government will do good to all, farmers, workers, rape victims. This is the same Mamata Banerjee who went to South 24 Parganas and brought Champala Sardar to Writers' Building claiming she was raped. She takes up those hala fala girls (girls discarded by society). I told her if you want to bring some girls, bring some good girls. There is no better girl than you. We will give her some medal or we can give her Rs 20,000. We ask, Didimoni, what is your fee? How much will you take for getting raped?''

The comment stirred a massive outrage with every section of the society, whether political or non-political, slamming the senior leader. The CPI(M) censured Rahman, deputy leader of the Left Front's legislature party, soon after he made the remark. State secretary Biman Bose said the party did not approve of such comments and warned Rahman against repeating such act.

Another Left leader Shyamal Chakraborty also said he did not support such comment.

Rahman later apologised at a press conference where he said his intention was to discuss daily incidents of rape occurring in West Bengal. "While discussing this, I uttered certain words which were not courteous. I unconditionally apologise to the chief minister and the people of the state," he said.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) was, however, not convinced with the apology. TMC leader and industry and parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee said Rahman's words had tarnished the culture of Bengal and lowered all heads. The party said it will file a defamation case and introduce a privilege motion against the Left leader in the state assembly.

The Congress and BJP also condemned Rahman's remarks.

OneIndia News