India, Jan. 31 -- Congress MP and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday defended her mother, Sonia Gandhi, over the latter's remark against President Droupadi Murmu, saying she has the utmost respect for the leader.

Sonia Gandhi triggered a controversy by referring to the President as a "poor thing" during the latter's address to a joint sitting of Parliament.

"My mother is a 78-year-old lady. She simply said that 'the President must have been tired reading such a long speech, poor thing'. She fully respects her and has the utmost respect for her (the President). Unfortunately, this kind of thing is twisted by the media," Priyanka Gandhi told reporters in Delhi.

She also criticised the BJP's demand for an apology, say...