Kolkata: A video in which West Bengal minister Akhil Giri is heard commenting on the appearance of President Droupadi Murmu has received widespread criticism, also from his own party Trinamool Congress, on Saturday, November 12.Giri, a junior minister for correctional homes, has apologised for the remark – which he made at a rally in Nandigram of East Medinipur on Friday evening.In a 17-second video clip, shared by the news agency ANI, Giri is heard saying in Bengali: “We don’t judge people. We respect your President’s chair. But how does your President look?”A crowd of men and women are seen around him, clapping at his words.PTI, reporting on Giri’s speech offered the following translation:“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?”Later while talking to reporters this morning, Giri apologised for making such a remark.“I didn’t mean to disrespect the Honourable President. I was replying to what BJP leaders said while verbally attacking me. I apologise for making such a remark. I have immense respect for the President of our country,” he said.BJP lashed out at the Trinamool Congress and said Giri’s remark reflected the “anti-tribal” mindset of the TMC.“President Droupadi Murmu hails from the tribal community. Akhil Giri made objectionable comments against the country’s President. These comments reflect the anti-tribal mindset of the TMC party,” BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said.The TMC said it doesn’t support such a comment but won’t take responsibility for remarks made by leaders in an individual capacity.“We don’t want to comment on stray remarks by individuals. The party neither supports such remarks nor takes responsibility for such comments. We have immense respect for the President of the country,” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh told PTI.However, in a tweet, the party’s Saket Gokhale said the comment was “irresponsible” and did not represent the views of the party.Statement:This is an irresponsible comment & does NOT represent the views of @AITCofficial. We are extremely proud of the President of India & hold her & her office in the highest regard. https://t.co/v571435Snv— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) November 12, 2022