Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday came heavily on TMC minister Akhil Giri for his comment on President Droupadi Murmu. Pradhan said that Mamata Banerjee should immediately sack Akhil Giri if she has little morality left.
“The more you condemn it, the less it is. If Mamata Banerjee has little morality left or little faith in democracy, then she should immediately sack him and apologize to the nation,” ANI quoted the minister as saying. He further said, “He insulted the first citizen of country with a feudal mindset. In democracy, this kind of intolerance against gender and colour is condemnable. A few days ago, Adhir Chowdhury also did the same. I hope Mamata Banerjee, being a representative of women, takes action.”
BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, who is also the leader of opposition in West Bengal, has written a letter to Governor of the state La Ganesan seeking his time to demand the sacking of TMC minister Akhil Giri for his comment on President Droupadi Murmu. The letter reads, “The West Bengal BJP Legislature Party seek your appointment by tomorrow or day after in this matter, so that we can make a demand to sack such irresponsible and uncouth person as a Minister of the State of West Bengal.”
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, on Saturday, also condemned the remark of TMC leader Akhil Giri and demanded an apology from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Earlier, in a video that went viral, TMC minister Akhil Giri, while addressing people in Nandigram on Thursday, was heard saying, "We don't judge anyone by their appearance, we respect the office of the President (of India). But how does our President look?".
The minister later apologised after his comment on President Droupadi Murmu sparked outrage, and a demand for arrest from the BJP increased. He said, 'If the President of India feels insulted, I am sorry and regret what I said." He added, "I said 'President', I didn’t take anyone’s name. If the President of India feels insulted, I am sorry and regret what I said."
However, he also said, "I respect the President. I mentioned the post and made a comparison to respond to Suvendu Adhikari. I didn't take any names. He had said Akhil Giri looks bad in his appearance. I'm a minister, who took an oath to the office. If something is said against me, it's an insult to the Constitution."
Giri’s party Trinamool Congress has distanced itself from his comment. The party said that there is no question of supporting such a comment.
TMC MP Santanu Sen told news agency ANI, "TMC disowns this comment. TMC possesses a high vigour for the Constitution of India and the President. Mamata Banerjee is a symbol of women's empowerment, so the question of supporting such a comment doesn't arise. The minister realised his blunder and apologszed on social media."