Bengal BJP chief asks people to slap Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool demands apology

West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar triggered a controversy when he made derogatory remarks against Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee while slamming her over the state's education policy.

In a viral video which was also shared by many TMC leaders on Monday, Majumdar is heard telling the people at a rally in Mathurapur in South 24 Parganas district to "slap" Banerjee.

Attacking Banerjee, Majumdar said it was not the fault of the children that they are not doing well in their studies and asserted that people should slap Banerjee, instead of hitting their wards.

"When your children are coming back from school, they can't answer anything. You are slapping them and questioning them what you studied in school. Instead of slapping your children, slap Mamata Banerjee because she has destroyed the education system," he is heard saying in Bengali in a video that has gone viral.

The TMC hit out at Majumdar for his remarks and alleged that he was provoking physical violence against Banerjee. The party demanded an apology for what they deemed a misogynistic statement.

TMC leader Mahua Moitra said the West Bengal BJP chief's comments were "shameful".

"The West Bengal BJP chief, who is also an MP, has publicly made a speech where he calls for physical violence against our Chief Minister. It is shameful and shows the depth of depravity that the BJP can sink to," Moitra said in a video posted on her handle.

"We expect an apology from the misogynist, patriarchal head of the West Bengal BJP and party members should denounce his comments," she added.

Her party colleague and state minister Shashi Panja alleged that the BJP was showing "hatred" and "disrespect" towards women.

"Sukanta Majumdar, BJP president in West Bengal, speaks venom again. Derogatory words, inflammatory speeches and he is provoking the public to slap Mamata Banerjee. This is a party which has hatred towards women and shows disrespect to women every day," she said.

Meanwhile, the women's wing of the TMC will hold a rally on Tuesday to protest against Majumdar's remarks against Banerjee.

Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar expressed shock at the derogatory remarks of Majumdar against Banerjee. She questioned the motive behind such comments and raised concerns about the degradation of political discourse when leaders resort to such language.

While no official statement was provided by the BJP, a state leader anonymously expressed disapproval of the comments and distanced himself from them, while maintaining criticism of Banerjee's politics.

(with inputs from PTI)