Bhubaneswar, April 1 -- BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday tendered an unconditional apology for his claim that former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik was the link between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the CIA during the war against China in the 1960s.
Dubey chose the 'Utkal Dibasa', Odisha's foundation day, to apologise for the comment on Patnaik, an iconic figure in the state, and wished the people on the occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Patnaik on the 'Utkal Dibasa', saying that his life epitomises strength, courage and an unwavering commitment to nation-building.
Following his statement linking Patnaik with CIA on March 27, the BJP Parliamentarian was criticised within and outside the BJP.
Taking to X, he 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 honourable Shri Biju Patnaik ji, a former Chief Minister and one of India's leading leaders".
Stressing that it was his personal view, Dubey said that Patnaik has always been and will remain a towering statesman.
"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.
Patnaik, a two-time chief minister of Odisha (1961-63 and 1990-95), was a freedom fighter and aviator known
for his role in daring missions, including flying to Jakarta in 1947 to rescue Indonesian independence leaders and participating in operations linked to the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.