Kolkata : Senior CPI-M legislator Anisur Rehman, who allegedly derogatory comments about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sunday defended himself, noting he had not said anything wrong even as the Trinamool Congress threatened a privilege notice against him.
Rehman’s own party also disapproved of the remarks.
Besides making personal remarks against Banerjee, Rehman addressing a party rally in Birbhum district Saturday described her ministerial colleagues as “lambs who can’t even marry without permission”.
He also targeted actress Moon Moon Sen who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls as a Trinamool candidate.
“I did not say anything maliciously, I haven’t said things inside the assembly but outside, and I don’t think whatever I said is wrong,” said a defiant Rehman who had apologised at an earlier instant for making disparaging remarks against Banerjee.
Sen strongly criticised Rehman who had said that the actress was “foraying into politics to make money as her films were not working”.
“This shows his attitude towards women, how can he make such comments against women. This is not only unacceptable for me but for women at large. He needs to learn to respect women,” she said.
Senior Trinamool leaders including the party general secretary Mukul Roy have condemned Rehman’s comments.
State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee said a notice of privilege will be moved against Rehman.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state secretary Biman Bose said such remarks were unwarranted.
“Our political leaders should not make remarks about individuals. They should rather concentrate on policies. We don’t make remarks about individuals. If anybody does so, that should be taken as an exception,” said Bose, also the Left Front chairman.