Akhil Giri, minister in the Trinamool Congress government of West Bengal, has resigned from the cabinet. BJP was attacking the TMC government over an alleged video of his, in which the former minister was seen abusing and threatening a woman officer of the forest department. BJP had shared this video from its handle.
Resignation sent to CM Mamata Banerjee
According to the information, Akhil Giri has sent his resignation by mail to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the instructions of the party. He will also submit a hard copy of his resignation to the Chief Minister during the Assembly session tomorrow. Although Akhil Giri said that he was sorry for his remarks but he was not ready to apologize to the woman forest ranger officer.
He said, ‘There is no question of apologizing, should I apologize just because I am sorry? My party did not ask me to apologise. He only asked me to resign from the ministry, which I have already done. I have already sent my resignation.
‘I am sorry but there is no question of apologizing’
Speaking to Aaj Tak, Akhil Giri said, ‘I am sorry for my comment, it does not mean that I have to apologize to the woman.’ He said, ‘Whatever I said to the female officer at that time was unfortunate. It would have been better if these words had not come out of my mouth. I regret it. But that female officer was responsible for this situation.
He said, ‘There is no question of apologizing. My party directed me to resign, so I have already resigned. Subrata Bakshi (TMC state president) called me and asked me to resign. That’s why I have already resigned. CM did not say anything to me.
What is the whole matter?
BJP had also sent a letter to the Governor demanding action in this matter. District Forest Officer Manisha Shaw and her team members were removing encroachment from the department’s land near Tajpur beach in Purba Medinipur district. During the campaign, the former minister reached the spot and started arguing with the woman officer.
In the video shared by BJP, TMC leaders were seen threatening the officer and asking him to stay away from the matter. In the video, the TMC leader is shouting at a woman officer and saying, ‘You are a government employee. Bow your head (towards me) while speaking. Let’s see what happens to you within a week. If you interfere in this matter again, I will make sure that you will not be able to come back. These goons will ensure that you will not be able to go home at night.