In the wake of a political storm triggered by his remarks on Biju Patnaik, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday issued a public apology, asserting that his statement had been “misinterpreted.”
The row escalated after Dubey claimed a connection between the late Odisha chief minister and the Central Intelligence Agency while attacking the Nehru-Gandhi family—prompting sharp backlash from opposition parties as well as leaders within his own party.
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In a post on X, Dubey said, “Last week, while speaking to the media, an incorrect interpretation was drawn from my remarks regarding the Nehru-Gandhi family's exploits, specifically in reference to the honorable Shri Biju Patnaik ji… First of all, this statement is my personal view.”
He added: “My thoughts on Nehru ji were misconstrued as being about Biju Babu. Biju Babu has always been and will remain a towering statesman for us. If my statement has hurt anyone's sentiments, I unconditionally apologize.”
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The remarks had triggered a strong reaction from the Biju Janata Dal, which staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha and demanded an unconditional apology.
The party maintained pressure even after Dubey's initial clarification failed to quell the controversy.
Senior BJP leader Baijayant Panda also distanced himself from Dubey's comments, defending Patnaik's legacy.
“Biju uncle was a towering personality… casting aspersions on his patriotism is fantastical and patently ludicrous. Such attacks on him are unworthy, uninformed, and totally unacceptable,” Panda said.
The Odisha government termed the remarks “unacceptable” and “deeply hurtful,” with Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stating they reflected Dubey's personal opinion, not the state's position.
Adding to the fallout, BJD MP Sasmit Patra resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, chaired by Dubey, in protest.
“I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve under someone who makes such disrespectful remarks about a national icon,” Patra said.
Sources indicated that the BJP's central leadership was also displeased, with mounting pressure on Dubey to issue a formal apology as the row showed no signs of subsiding.
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