Anil Basu

Mamata Bannerjee

Mamata Bannerjee has had many insults hurled at her by her rivals, the CPM. But nothing has perhaps sparked as much outrage as what a former CPM MP said about her at a public rally at Arambagh today.

Anil Basu, former CPM MP from Arambagh, attacked Mamata Bannerjee in the most unparliamentary terms at a public rally in Hooghly district.

Mr Basu questioned the money being used by Mamata in the elections and ridiculed her in the most vile way. 

"America is giving Mamata the money. Why should she take money from Chennai and Bangalore? Rich clients have come, so there is no place for poor clients. I am asking Mamata, where did she get the 34 crore rupees?" questioned Anil Basu.

The comment has outraged a wide section of people, and forced Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to do immediate damage control. He has called his party colleague's comment unforgivable and has severely reprimanded him.

"I have heard his speech, it is not decent at all. This does not speak well of a Communist leader. What should I say to him? I told some of my colleagues to warn him, I don't want to hear such words again. This cannot be excused," said Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Anil Basu has embarrassed the CPM before with his comments on Mamata Bannerjee, but this latest episode coming as it were, in the middle of the Bengal elections, may severely damage his party's fortunes.

Anil Basu