Daspur: A day after asking men to lock their wives up to prevent them from voting for Trinamool, BJP Midnapore neta Kalipada Sengupta apologised for his statements on Monday. Sengupta said that he worshipped Maa Durga and would never show disrespect to any woman. Sources said Sengupta — defiant till Sunday — was asked by BJP brass to take his words back.
The apology came hours after CM Mamata Banerjee criticised Sengupta for his comments, saying it was a "criminal offence" to make such statements. "Every woman will continue to receive the benefit of Lakshmir Bhandar. Even after turning 60, women will keep getting the benefit. One from the camp of Delhi-based netas said that our ‘Lakshmis' should not be allowed to step out of their homes to vote. This is a threat and a criminal offence," Banerjee said in Gangasagar.
In his press conference, Sengupta said: "In Bengal we worship mothers. Maa Durga killed Asura. Trinamool is trying to lure the same power of women with favours under Lakshmir Bhandar. However, I seek an apology if any mother or any sister felt insulted." Asked what prompted him to come out with a fatwa, Sengupta said, "It was never a fatwa."
Sengupta, who addressed a gathering at Daspur on Saturday, had termed the state scheme ‘Alakshmir Bhandar' and said that there were mothers who had taken benefits and would vote for Trinamool. He urged men to put these women under lock and key on polling day.
Claiming that he was not against schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar, Sengupta said, "I am not against Lakshmir Bhandar. Our netas have assured that BJP would pay at least a rupee more than what Trinamool does."