Mamata Banerjee apologizes for minister Akhil Giri's remark on President Droupadi Murmu

Apologizing for the comments of Trinamool Minister Akhil Giri about President Droupadi Murmu, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday condemned Giri’s comments and claimed that “he has done wrong”, even as widespread protests continued all across the state for the third consecutive day today by BJP and the tribal community for more than 72 hours.

Banerjee said that she and her party immensely respect the President of India and mentioned that her party MLA Giri has been cautioned for his comments.

“We all respect our country’s President. She is a highly respected lady. Akhil Giri has done wrong by making such comments. We have condemned the comments on behalf of the party. We have cautioned Giri from the party and told him that this should not happen in future again,” Banerjee said candidly. Trinamool Congress in Bengal is in a tight spot amid widespread criticism and protests over Trinamool Congress Minister Akhil Giri's controversial and derogatory remarks about President Droupadi Murmu.


“I personally respect the President of India very much. Beauty does not lie in the eyes of the beholder but it is the inner property of a
human being. She is a very nice and sweet lady,” Banerjee said.

It is pertinent to mention, Giri was speaking at a meeting in Nandigram on Friday evening, where he made comments about President of India Droupadi Murmu “looks”. "They (BJP) said that I am not good-looking. We don't judge anyone by their appearance. We respect the office of the President (of India). But how does our President look?" Giri, the minister of state for Correctional Homes, was heard saying, which has put the ruling Trinamool Congress in an embarrassing situation.

“I condemn the utterings of our MLA and I apologize on behalf of the party for that particular comment. I hold her in great regards. My party has also condemned it. We have cautioned him and warned him that it should not happen in future,” Banerjee said.

BJP has organized protests all across the state, including the tribal belts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. BJP protesters got engaged in scuffle with police in Jhargram during the protests. BJP MLA Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato has lodged a complaint against Giri.

BJP Parliamentary party representatives, led by BJP Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari, organized a march to Raj Bhawan
demanding intervention of Governor La Ganeshan on this issue.

BJP LoP Suvendu Adhikari, “More than 72 hours have passed but the Chief Minister did not write to the Governor to remove the minister neither did she remove him from the cabinet.”

“We demand that the Governor should advise the CM to remove the minister. We have discussed the issue with the secretary of the
governor,” Adhikari said.

Meanwhile, a PIL has been filed at Calcutta High Court today on this issue.