Bhubaneswar, April 2 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik, referring to him as the symbol of courage and nation-building, amid a political storm over Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Nishikant Dubey's controversial remark on the late leader, for which Dubey tendered an unconditional apology. In a letter to Odisha CM Mohan Charan Manjhi onthe foundation day of thestate, PM Modi described Patnaik as a towering figure whose life continues to inspire generations. "This is the soil that nurtured the great Biju Patnaik, whose life epitomises strength, courage and an unwavering commitment to nation-building.Biju Babu's multifaceted persona inspires us all," the PM wrote.The letter comes amid a massive uproar over Dubey's remarks against the former Odisha CM. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on March 27, Dubey alleged that former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru fought the 1962 war against China with American support and in collaboration with CIA agents, and described Biju Patnaik, then Odisha CM, as a "link" between the US government, the CIA, and Nehru. His remarks came under strong criticism from the BJD leaders as well as a section of his party colleagues. On Wednesday, Dubey, the MP from Jharkhand's Godda, tendered an unconditional apology over his claims. "My thoughts on Nehru ji were misconstrued as being about Biju Babu... If my statement has hurt anyone's sentiments, I unconditionally apologise," Dubey said in a post on X....