BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday tendered an unconditional apology for his claim that former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik was the liaison between former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the CIA during the war against China in the 1960s.
Dubey’s controversial remarks on Biju Patnaik on March 27 led to political tension in the state, with the opposition, especially the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), protesting against the remarks.
The BJP leader, who is an MP from Jharkhand’s Godda seat, said the comments made about Nehru were “misconstrued as being about Biju Babu”.
Also Read: Naveen Patnaik criticizes Nishikant Dubey’s comments about Biju Patnaik, calling them “outrageous”
“While speaking to the media last week, my statements – made in the context of the actions of the Nehru-Gandhi family – were misinterpreted in reference to the former Prime Minister and one of India’s eminent leaders, Hon’ble Shri Biju Patnaik. First of all, this statement was my personal view. My comments about Nehru ji were wrongly understood as relating to Biju Babu,” the BJP leader said in a post on X.
“Biju Babu has always been and will continue to be a statesman of great standing for us. If my statement has hurt sentiments, I sincerely and unconditionally apologise,” he added.
What did Nishikant Dubey say?
Nishikant Dubey alleged that the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru managed the 1962 war against China with American assistance and coordination with the CIA, adding that former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik acted as a liaison between the US government, the CIA and Nehru.
The remark led to a row in Odisha, where the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday walked out of the Rajya Sabha over the offensive remarks.
Also read: BJD exits Rajya Sabha over BJP’s Nishikant Dubey’s remarks on party founder
Following these statements, Naveen Patnaik, Biju’s son, said he was “surprised” and “shocked” by the “false and irresponsible insinuations” about his father’s role in national defence. He said the BJP MP’s comments reflect a lack of understanding of history.
BJD leader Sasmit Batra has resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Communications Technology, in protest against committee chairman Dubey’s comments.
However, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Monday refuted allegations that he has no respect for Patnaik, asserting that he has always had great respect for the former Odisha chief minister.
“There was no lack of respect for Biju Patnaik. When the Congress treated Biju Babu unfairly, the Jana Sangh and the BJP stood by him. What I said that day, and what I am repeating again today, is that I am running an ongoing series exposing the actions of the Nehru-Gandhi family and the Congress,” Dubey said.
