CPI-M politburo member Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Friday demanded union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti quit for making abusive remarks at an election rally in Delhi but ruled out taking up any joint programme with the Trinamool Congress to press for her resignation.
The former West Bengal chief minister demanded "action against the minister" and remarked the opposition has rightly raised the demand.
"Action must be taken against the minister for her remarks. The opposition rightly has raised the demand," Bhattacharjee said in a statement.
He said the Communist party of India-Marxist has been "consistently demanding the resignation of the Minister".
"But we cannot go into a joint programme with TMC. TMC has no credibility in the fight against communalism."
He also demanded strict action against Trinamool MP Tapas Paul, who had publicly exhorted his party workers to kill CPI-M activists and threatened to unleash his boys to rape their women.
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Jyoti, who is minister of state for food processing industries, reportedly said at a public meeting: "Aapko tay karna hai ki Dilli mein sarkar Ramzadon ki banegi ya haramzadon ki." (You have to decide if you want a government in Delhi to be led by the children of Lord Ram or illegitimate children).
Her comments have rocked the two houses of Indian parliament over the past few days with the opposition members seeking her resignation.