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Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday criticised Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for her remarks pertaining to President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of two Houses of Parliament and said such remarks reflect poorly on the opposition party's leadership.
Referring to the President Murmu's speech, Sonia Gandhi said "the President was getting very tired, by the end...she could hardly speak, poor thing." Puri, who is the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the Congress leader had made such comments against the "first tribal President". "She is the first tribal President...She (President) gave a report card on behalf of the government, if you have objections to it then there will be a discussion and then you can counter it. His (Rahul Gandhi) mother (Sonia Gandhi) says tired, what kind of words are these?" he said. "The son and mother who are desperately fighting for political relevance... I am appalled that on an occasion with such solemnity, they go and make statements like this and it reflects very poorly on them," he added. BJP leaders have come heavily on the former Congress chief over her remarks. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called for an apology from the Congress. "I condemn the comments made by Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders. Our President, a tribal woman, is not weak... Droupadi Murmu has worked extensively for the country and society and they cannot even imagine the kind of work she has done... They should apologise to her," Rijiju said. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed BJP for politicising Sonia Gandhi's remarks. "My mother is a 70-80 years old lady, she has simply said that 'the President read such a long speech and she must have been tired, poor thing'...she fully respects (President of India). I think it is very unfortunate that this kind of thing is twisted by the media. They both are two respected people and older than us...she means no disrespect. BJP should first apologise for pushing (the country) into a gorge," she said. The budget session of Parliament commenced on Friday with President Murmu addressing joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. The union budget will be presented tomorrow. (ANI)
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