'I am sorry, I regret..,' TMC's Akhil Giri after remarks on Prez Draupadi Murmu, party disowns his comments

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress leader(TMC) and West Bengal minister Akhil Giri on Saturday apologized for his remarks against the President of India Droupadi Murmu. The TMC leader faced strong criticism from the opposition as well as from his own party after he made questionable remarks about President Droupadi Murmu's appearance. While speaking at a rally, Giri said that BJP MP Suevendhu Adhikari had said that he is not good-looking. Further, he mockingly said that "how beautiful Suevendhu Adhikari is". Later, he went on to say that he respects the President and asked, "But how does our President look?" Meanwhile, TMC on Saturday disowned Giri's comment and said there is no question of supporting such a comment. TMC MP Santanu Sen also accused BJP of playing dirty politics to gain power in West Bengal.

TMC Leader Akhil Giri's Apology

In his apology on Saturday, Giri said that he was sorry and regretful about what he said, and still respects the Constitution and the post of the President of India. "I said, President. Didn`t take anyone`s name. If the President of India feels insulted about it, then I am sorry and regret what I said," the TMC leader said in a statement.

Also Read: 'Immediately arrest him': BJP lashes out at TMC leader's remarks on President Murmu; read his reply

Giri said that he does not regret BJP`s reaction to his remarks. "I don`t regret how BJP will react to this. I am not concerned about BJP. My reaction was for Suvendu Adhikari," he claimed."I am also part of the Constitution. I have taken an oath and become a minister. He (Suvendu Adhikari) insulted me and said that I look like a crow. He called me a half-pant minister. This is also an insult to me. Calling me half-pant minister is insulting the whole minister panel," he said.

#WATCH | "We don't judge anyone by their appearance, we respect the office of the President (of India). But how does our President look?," says West Bengal Minister and TMC leader Akhil Giri in Nandigram (11.11.2022) pic.twitter.com/UcGKbGqc7p

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

TMC disowns Akhil Giri's remarks 

"TMC disowns his comment against the President of India. TMC possesses a high vigour for the Constitution of India and the President. Mamata Banerjee, is a symbol of women`s empowerment, so there is no question of supporting such a comment," TMC MP Sen said while speaking to ANI.

TMC disowns this comment. TMC possesses a high vigour for Constitution of India & President. Mamata Banerjee is a symbol of women's empowerment, so question of supporting such a comment doesn't arise. Minister realized his blunder & apologized on social media: TMC MP Santanu Sen https://t.co/DJqIQ6LWHt pic.twitter.com/TKZKudJECh — ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

He said that the minister has already realized his blunder and apologized on social media. Commenting further on the controversy and attack launched by the BJP on TMC after Akhil Giri`s remarks, the party`s MP Santanu Sen said that the BJP is suffering and it will fall like a house of cards. "They (BJP) don`t have any public support in West Bengal politics. They`re like vultures and can survive only on this type of dirty politics," said Sen. "They (BJP) are suffering, and they are about to fall like a house of cards," he added.

(With ANI inputs)