Bhubaneswar: Odisha CM Naveen deeply hurt by the statement of Sambit Patra on Lord Jagannath said Karthik Pandian while speaking to the media earlier today.
Puri BJP Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra’s controversial comments about Jagannath Mahaprabhu led to a sharp protest. BJD leader Karthik Pandian has given a strong response to this. He said that BJP is talking about “Odia Asmita”. The symbol of orthodox Asmita (beliefs) is the great Lord Jagannath.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik always says, “The Lord should be kept above politics.” God is immortal, we are mere mortal. These two should never be combined. The Chief Minister has been deeply hurt by the comments of Sambit Patra. The Chief Minister is shocked at the politics with the involvement of Lord Jagannath.
Karthik Pandian further said that the people of Odisha do not like to do politics about religion or Mahaprabhu. This is not the first time. BJP did this in the 2019 panchayat elections as well. They always associate something or the other with Dharma and Jagannath.
About Sambit Patra going on a fast, Pandian said, let him eat properly and take care of his health, as the elections are three days away. Pandian further added that he should not faint.
Earlier today Sambit Patra had apologized about his statement and said that it was a slip of tongue. And that he will fast for three days to repent what he said. His statement has been widely criticized across political parties. BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi and Odisha congress have criticized the statement and demanded an apology.