Mamata Banerjee describes Tapas Pal's speech as 'big blunder'

Breaking her silence, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday described party MP Tapas Pal's hate speech as a "big blunder", but then wondered if she should "kill him" for this and said whatever steps are needed to be taken have been taken.

"It is not just a mistake, it's big blunder. We have taken whatever steps that are needed to be taken. It is an individual utterance. What do you want? Should I kill him? What can I do ? Whatever I can do we can do it through our policy", Banerjee, who was here in South 24-Paraganas district, told reporters.

She said that Pal, who was re-elected from the Krishnagar constituency in the recent Lok Sabha poll, had tendered an unconditional apology on her instruction.

"The CPI(M), Congress and some others had in the past said so many things. CPI(M) had said so many things about me. I never saw you people (media) to protest against this. But here I will protest because I feel that it should not have been done," she said.

"The party has already cautioned Tapas Pal. We condemn his statement," she said.

Asked how she viewed the comment of Pal, Banerjee said, "It is derogatory. The party does not endorse it. Whoever engages in any such activity which tarnishes the image of the party, the party does not support".