Anil Basu debarred from public meets

Kolkata: Due to using foul language against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, senior CPI-M leader Anil Basu has been debarred from addressing public meetings and may also face punitive action , West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said today.

"He will not address public meetings from now on," the chief minister said at a 'Meet-the-Press' programme.

Asked if any punitive action would be taken against Basu, the chief minister said, "We do not tolerate filthy language.

Punishment will be given if necessary."

Describing Basu's use of such language as 'unfortunate,' Bhattacharjee said, "No one can tolerate it."

Bhattacharjee said that CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose has censured Basu and warned him not to use such language in future. "He has also been asked to issue a written statement and apologise.

Acting over the tip-off, Basu has apologised today from Banarjee for his act.

"I apologise for using such language," Basu said in a written statement soon after Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said in a 'Meet the Press' programme here that it was unfortunate and Basu has been asked to apologise.

However, though Basu had used the filthy language naming Banerjee, he did not name her in the statement and referred to her as the 'opposition party leader'.

"My careless comments about the opposition party leader at a public meeting in Hooghly was uncalled for. This is against our party's ethos. I have realised the reaction in public mind," the statement signed by Basu said.