'Jagannath Is Modi's Bhakt': Sambit Patra Faces Flak From Odisha CM Over Remark, Later Calls It 'Slip Of Tongue'

BJP leader Sambit Patra sparked controversy by saying 'Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi'. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and the Congress criticised the statement. Patra later clarified the remark.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and its Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra ignited controversy on Monday as he remarked that "Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi," a statement that drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and local leaders. His statement came during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 and the second phase of the Odisha Assembly election. In a post, he clarified that it was a 'slip of the tongue' on his part while he was speaking to media persons.

Sharing a clip of the alleged remark, the Odisha Congress unit condemned Patra's statement as a direct assault on Odisha’s pride. "According to Sambit Patra - 'Modi's bhakt is Jagannath'... It's a direct attack on Odia Asmita... We want Sambit to apologise with folded hands in front of National Media and each and every citizen of Odisha. It's very derogatory... You should mind your language," the Odisha Congress stated in a post on X, sharing a video of Patra's remarks.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also criticised Patra, asserting that the BJP leader's comments insulted Lord Jagannath and undermined the faith of millions. "Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of Universe. Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is an insult to the Lord. This has hurt the sentiments and demeaned the faith of crores of Jagannatha bhaktas and Odias across the world," Patnaik said in a post on X.

BJP's Sambit Patra Calls His Modi-Jagannath Remark 'Slip Of Tongue'

In response to CM Patnaik's post, Sambit Patra issued a clarification saying, "I gave number of bytes today to multiple media channels after the massive success of Shri Narendra Modiji’s Road Show in Puri today, everywhere I mentioned that Modi ji is an ardent “Bhakt” of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu ..by mistake during one of the bytes I pronounced just the opposite ..I know you too know and understand this ..Sir let’s not make an issue out of a nonexistent issue ..we all have “slip of tongue sometimes”."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi offered prayers at the Jagannath Temple in Puri and led a roadshow from Marichkote Square to Medical Square on Grand Road.

The roadshow, accompanied by state BJP president Manmohan Samal, MP candidate Sambit Patra, and Puri MLA nominee Jayanta Sarangi, saw thousands of supporters waving the lotus symbol along the barricaded route. Police ensured elaborate security arrangements for the event. After the roadshow, the Prime Minister held rallies in Angul and Cuttack.

The second phase of polling for five Lok Sabha constituencies and 35 assembly seats in Odisha was held under tight security on Monday.