Kolkata: The BJP in West Bengal will not easily bury the hatchet with rival Trinamool Congress for mocking President Droupadi Murmu’s appearance.
Party MLA and its Mahila Morcha President, Agnimitra Paul, walked into the Assembly Monday sporting a photograph of Murmu on an Indian map, placed delicately above her bindi. She was joined by her colleagues, who wore placards that also had the President’s photo on it.
On 11 November, at a political gathering in Nandigram, Trinamool MLA and Minister Akhil Giri had mocked Murmu’s facial appearance, which ultimately led to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologising to the country’s tribal community and its first woman to sit on India’s highest chair.
Paul told ThePrint: “People have the audacity to insult the President, but I want to seek her blessing and work and protect the Constitution of India.” She will wear the President on her forehead every day in the Vidhan Sabha that convened its Winter Session on Monday.
BJP MLAs also raised slogans against Giri, demanding his resignation. They sought an adjournment motion over Giri’s misogynistic remarks, but that was turned down by Speaker Biman Banerjee as the matter is sub-judice.
The opposition, however, will keep the pressure up as state president Sukanta Majumdar is expected to lead a protest rally of BJP workers on the issue.
Mamata Banerjee, while addressing a press conference last week, had condemned Giri’s remarks, saying the party did not support such comments. Stating she had the utmost respect for President Droupadi Murmu, she however made it clear the party would only act against Giri if he was caught on the wrong foot again.
Also read: Didi’s aide, Suvendu’s rival, organisational man — Akhil Giri caught in row for Murmu remark