Trinamool Congress MP from Barasat Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Sunday apologised for her remarks on medical students, which she had made in a television debate show, triggering a row and condemnation from the medical fraternity.

“I am sorry for any statement made in a talk show, and apologise if my recent words have hurt anyone’s sentiments. I retract my statement. My intention has been and will always be to champion the cause of well-being and rights of women,” Dastidar posted on her X handle.

Several medical outfits sought the MP’s apology.

Doctors of the Indian Psychiatric Society, in a statement, said that TMC MP’s remarks “were disrespectful and reprehensible”.

“Her remarks call into question the competence and diligence of women doctors,” the association said, demanding her expulsion from the Indian Medical Association.

Dastidar is also a doctor.

BJP’s Asansol South MLA Agnimitra Paul also hit out at the TMC MP. Paul, who was also taking part in the TV debate in ABP Ananda, had a verbal altercation with Dastidar during the talk show.

Meanwhile, the TMC has decided not to send its representatives to three news channels – ABP Ananda, Republic, and TV9, accusing them of running “persistent anti-Bengal agenda-driven propaganda”.

“We understand their compulsion to appease the zamindars of Delhi, given the investigation and ongoing enforcement cases their promoters and companies are facing… We also clarify and request the people of West Bengal not to be misled by individuals portrayed as party supporters on these platforms during discussion or debates, as they are not authorised by the party and do not represent our official stance,” the TMC said.

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