Bengali film star and Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha candidate Dev raked up a controversy by saying that joining election fray is like getting raped, but after facing flak he apologised for the comment
Kolkata: Facing widespread condemnation for likening Lok Sabha poll frenzy surrounding him to “being raped”, Bengali movie star and Trinamool Congress candidate Dev Monday apologised for his comments.
Asked if he was enjoying his time as a contestant from the Ghatal Lok Sabha seat, his hometown in West Midnapore district, Dev, in an interview to a Bengali tabloid, said, “Enjoy….! It’s just like being raped ‘yaar’! You can shout or you can enjoy. (Laughs) Thats it. What more than that? Anyway when I have come (into politics), let me do the work”.
In the interview, the reigning superstar of Bengali films, said, “Eighty to ninety per cent of the media is now focusing on Ghatal. The news that Dev is contesting from Ghatal has become a hot topic. It is nice that a place like Ghatal has also become popular.”
Political parties have condemned the “outrageous” comments and are even mulling lodging a complaint with the Election Commission.
If Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sujon Chakraborty and state Bharatiya Janata Party president Rahul Sinha called for the cancellation of his candidature, Congress’ O.P. Mishra demanded penal action, demanding the administration take immediate action.
State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury too slammed Dev for his comments and accused Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee of fielding celebrities as candidates to defraud people.
“His (Dev) comments are indicative of his insensitivity and is highly condemnable… the move to nominate celebrities shows the immaturity and insensitivity of the Trinamool chief,” Chowdhury said reacting to the incident.
“I m new in politics. My heart is clean. No offence meant 2 any1. I respect Maa, sis al women n brothers. Dint mean 2 hurt any1. SINCERE SORRY,” tweeted Dev.
