SHILLONG, Nov 12: The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a complete boycott of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) by the tribal community in the state.
“The BJP calls for the complete boycott of the TMC by the tribal community in particular and in general across the state,” said state BJP president Ernest Mawrie on Saturday.
The appeal comes in the wake of a contentious remark by TMC minister from West Bengal Akhil Giri on President Droupadi Murmu, who is the first tribal in India to be elected to the highest constitutional post.
In a video, Giri was heard saying, “They (BJP) said that I am not good-looking. We don’t judge anyone by their appearance. We respect the office of the President. But how does our President look?”
Giri, after receiving a torrent of criticisms from across the country for his remark, later tendered an apology.
“Just like I have respect for the country’s Constitution, I also respect the President, who is the head of the state. For the last few days, the kind of remarks made by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari against me and my looks has left me humiliated and fuming. I am an old man, and by mistake, I have made a remark out of emotional outbursts of my anger. I regret making such a remark,” the TMC leader said.
Condemning the remark, state BJP president Ernest Mawrie on Saturday said, “Droupadi Murmu created history by becoming the first-ever tribal President of India. She is a role model of millions and has given hope to scores of tribals living in the country. Her stature is tall to the extent that it is unparalleled.”
Stating that Giri has stooped to the lowest level of political discourse by commenting on the looks of the President, Mawrie said, “His question ‘How does our President look?’ is a reflection of his filthy and elitist mindset.”
According to Mawrie, the action is criminal and goes against all tribals of the country.
Casting aspersion on the state TMC leaders, Mawrie said, “If they could have such demeaning thoughts for the honourable President of India just because she is a tribal, how would they treat the tribals of the state who are already struggling because of lack of development?”