TMC suspends leaders, activists involved in foundation day erotic dance

The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday condemned and suspended the leaders and activists who were caught on camera heckling and throwing money at hired women dancers at one of its founding day celebrations.

TMC leader and spokesman Derek O'Brien said that a disciplinary committee may even consider sacking the persons involved from the party

"One of the celebration events obviously went wrong. We condemn what happened. We need to find out who these people are, whether TMC workers or others. What happened last night was condemnable," O'Brien said.

"The TMC does not approve such events. We will get to the bottom of this. We will take appropriate action. There is absolutely zero tolerance on such matters. We have sent a team on the ground to find out," he added

He also said there was no need for West Bengal Chief Minister and party president Mamata Banerjee to offer an apology for some of its party workers taking part in function in which women dancers were hired to perform an alleged erotic dance.

District-level TMC leaders and activists were caught on television throwing money on the hired women dancers during the function on Tuesday, leaving the party leadership embarassed

The function was organised by Trinamool Congress district level leaders in Bhangore, near Kolkata. Trinamool zila parishad member Meer Taheer Ali is widely believed to have arranged the women dancers for the celebrations that took place right opposite the local police station.

O'Brien said there was no need for the media to play the dual role of both judge and executioner in the matter. A television channel described O'Brien's reaction as patronising

O'Brien reiterated that a statement on the incident has been issued in which it was also stated that the party had organized several commemorative programmes across the state to mark Trinamool Congress’ 15th foundation day.

The recording of the programme was also aired on local television channels.

The controversy comes at a time when the entire nation witnessed muted New year celebrations as a mark of respect for the 23-year-old Delhi student who died 13 days after she was brutally gang-raped and tortured by six men in a moving bus.

The controversy is likely to embarrass Banerjee,particularly at a time when security of women is high on the government’s agenda and clamour for stringent laws to deal with crimes against women is growing louder.